What is the difference between ECG and EKG?
28.06.2023 Blog Article posted by QluPod
Herisau, Switzerland QluPod AG (www.qlupod.com)
The abbreviation ECG stands for electrocardiogram. In the German-speaking part, they say EKG and stands for Elektrokardiogram. The difference is therefore only to be found in the other language usage and, they are the same and should therefore not be irritating.
So what is an ECG?
The ECG is a medical examination method that measures the electrical activity of the heart. The ECG provides important information about the heart’s function. Doctors can detect cardiac arrhythmias and other heart problems from the recorded data. In addition to the electronic heart pulses measured during an ECG, other vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen also influence the diagnosis. With the QluPod, you can measure these and other vital signs such as body temperature and blood sugar with just one device. This makes the portable health monitor a valuable telemedicine tool for improving and maintaining your health!
How does the measurement take place during an ECG?
The heart is a muscle that is controlled by electrical impulses. The electrical impulses produce contractions of the heart muscle, which maintain the blood flow in the body. An ECG measures this electrical activity and records it in a curve. The measurement takes place by placing electrodes in specific locations on the body. Suitable locations are on the chest and on the arms and legs. During ECG recording, the machine measures the electrical signals of the heart and creates a graph called an ECG curve. The curve shows the different phases of the heart’s activity. These are the excitation of the atria and ventricles and the relaxation between contractions. The recording usually only takes a few minutes and is painless. However, it is also possible to have a so-called long- term ECG. This is a measurement under everyday conditions over a longer period of time, which can be 24-48 hours.
Why is an ECG done?
An ECG is used both in traditional treatment at the doctor’s office or hospital and in telemedicine. The recording of the electrical activity provides information about the condition of the heart and the patient’s general health. The ECG can help diagnose heart disease and provide doctors with valuable information to plan the right treatment. Medical professionals can read various information about the patient’s health from an ECG. From the results, medical professionals can draw conclusions about various diseases:
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Atrial fibrillation and atrial enlargement
- Heart rate too high or too low
- Problems in the cardiac conduction system
- Enlargement or thickening of the heart chamber
- Narrowing of the coronary arteries
- Congenital heart defects
Which vital signs affect the ECG?
If you only use a single device for ECG measurement, you and your doctor will not receive information about other vital signs that can also have an impact on the ECG and your health. This is why we recommend the QluPod health monitor, which allows you to measure and record six vital signs with one device:
- Heart rate
- Blood oxygen
- Blood pressure
- ECG
- Body temperature
- Blood sugar
The first two vital signs in particular have an influence on the ECG. For example, the heart rate indicates the number of heartbeats per minute. A normal resting heart rate for adults is usually between 60 and 80 beats per minute. A higher or lower heart rate may indicate heart disease. Blood oxygen has an effect on certain aspects of the ECG curve. Low blood oxygen levels can prolong the QT interval time, the section of the ECG curve that represents the excitation and relaxation of the heart chambers. In addition, a decrease in the ST segment, which reflects the onset of relaxation of the heart chambers, indicates a possible poor oxygen supply to the heart muscle. ECG and blood pressure are two different medical measurements that provide important information about the condition of the cardiovascular system. With the QluPod, you can take these two important measurements with just one device. Together with the data in your personal user profile in the QluPod app, your doctor receives a detailed summary of all vital signs, taking into account height, weight, age and gender. The effects of sporting activities on heart rate can also be recorded with a QluPod and help you maintain your health!
Can I record an ECG at home?
Traditionally, an ECG is performed in medical facilities such as hospitals or doctors’ offices. However, in the context of telemedicine, various devices have come onto the market that make it possible to record an ECG from the comfort of your own home. One of these is the QluPod, which allows you to record an ECG quickly and easily. To do this, you connect the supplied electrodes to your body and start the measurement. The results are saved in the QluPod app and shared with your doctor or carer if you wish. The app clearly displays all measurement results. Through the comparative values from previous measurements, you and the attending physician recognise changes immediately and can adjust the therapy accordingly.
What other advantages does the QluPod app offer?
If you use the QluPod mobile health monitor in conjunction with the innovative QluPod app, you can send your vital signs directly to your doctor. After evaluating the data, the doctor recognises whether there are symptoms of a heart attack or whether the medication dose needs to be adjusted. The app reminds you to take your tablets on time and sends you a new prescription if necessary. The recording of data from previous measurements also helps with medication. In the Pro version, which you receive as a subscription, your data is stored without limitation for the duration of the subscription and summarised in meaningful statistics. But the app can do even more: you receive a reminder of your next doctor’s appointment and other important notifications. In case of an emergency, the app will show you the nearest hospital or alert the emergency services. Take advantage of modern telemedicine to not only record an ECG, but to get effective preventive care for your health!