Traditional 12-Lead ECGs
12-lead electrocardiograms are an essential method in providing accurate detections of heart complications in patients. ECGs can observe everything from heart rhythm and irregular heartbeat, identify risk of heart attacks, examine blood flow, and even more, according to WebMd.
The standard ECG (EKG) test consists of attaching sticky patches to the skin, usually over the extremities and chest, to monitor electrical activity of the heart. These wires are connected to the ECG machine with recordings from 12 different locations on the surface of the body, states WashingtonHRA.
Reliability
With cardiac emergencies being the leading cause of mortality worldwide, having a reliable electrocardiogram to rely on is extremely important. The 12-lead ECG has been a commonly used test to diagnose cardiovascular disease in clinic and hospital-based practices for more than 70 years according to AHAJournals. With the invention of the portable ECG, testing is even more convenient and accurate than ever before.
ECGs help establish a reliable diagnosis for the patient while also evaluating the changing cardiac status from time to time. It can also assist in predicting future events with the heart to help make appropriate treatment decisions. Time is of the essence when it comes to cardiac emergencies, therefore a handheld ECG machine is beneficial in preventing cardiac arrest in patients, based on findings from industry leaders.
ECG Uses
There are many benefits of using an ECG on patients whether it is identifying or monitoring a heart condition. According to Downtown Medical , an ECG can help do the following:
Family history can also be a reason to monitor a patient’s heart if they have family members with past cardiovascular issues. Certain medications also put patients at risk and an ECG can help monitor their heart for irregularities associated with that medication.
Conditions that are already prevalent in the patient may also need consistent monitoring. Medtronic provides a list of conditions that may require heart monitoring, including:
Holter Monitors
“A Holter monitor is a wearable device and type of ambulatory electrocardiogram that records your heart’s rhythm and rate activity”, according to Cleveland Clinic. Holter monitors have been an outdated option for patients to monitor their heart conditions since the 50’s. However, this type of monitor is designed to be worn over a 24-to-48-hour period. This can detect episodes that occur daily but cannot monitor irregular cardiac occurrences like a portable ECG machine can.
Portable Monitors
Traditional ECG monitors fall short when it comes to efficiency, being user friendly, and providing accurate monitoring from any location. Portable ECG monitors challenge these traditional machines and make it efficient for doctors to monitor their patients wherever they may be. Providers now can give their patients the convenience of monitoring heart conditions during daily life activities. This allows patients to provide even more data for medical practitioners to monitor and analyze to provide a more accurate diagnosis. These devices can also be connected to mobile apps that can easily transfer patient data to their doctor who can quickly access their reports.
In addition to monitoring a patient’s heart activity at various times of the day, patients are also able to stay home during the time they are monitored thus freeing hospital rooms and doctors time for more vulnerable patients. With a portable 12-lead ECG device, doctors can send their patients home with a monitor, meaning they can serve more patients at once.
Using traditional ECG machines, doctors are only able to monitor patients’ hearts during a small window of time and only based on availability within the hospital. With the use of portable devices, doctors can now monitor multiple patients at once right from the patients’ homes.
Contact SmartHeart® Today!
SmartHeart® is a revolutionary new platform that offers real-time ECG data for patients to monitor their hearts in the comfort of their own home. Being a 12-lead hospital grade ECG, doctors can give their patients care confidently knowing SmartHeart® results are accurate and the device meets hospital standards. The device is user friendly, requiring no gels or shaving to perform a full ECG in under 30 seconds. Any patient no matter their experience can perform a test from anywhere at any time.
Offer your patients the best care, even at home with SmartHeart®.
Contact us today at https://www.smartheart.pro/ to receive more information.