May
Heart disease is reportedly the leading cause of death in America. Every year, about 647 000 people die because of ischemia and heart attack. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately every 40 seconds, an American will have a heart attack.
A portable EKG machine is a lightweight and easy-to-carry device designed to monitor heart conditions and track the heart’s rhythm and rate. Some home EKG monitors have built-in sensors to check whether the heart works properly. This must-have device helps individuals with certain heart conditions monitor heart health regardless of location.
Benefits of EKG monitor for home use
The portable EKG machine allows patients to keep an eye on heart health throughout the day and detect potential abnormalities in the heart’s electrical activity at an early stage. What’s more, some ECGs can be used with a mobile application to provide patients with immediate analysis of heart activity data in a matter of seconds.
The home EKG monitor can provide the doctor with the following information:
- patient’s heart rhythm and rate;
- heart attack evidence or any damage to the heart;
- problems related to the thickness of the heart wall;
- other kinds of data that may put you at risk for heart problems.
Unlike getting an EKG test at the hospital, individuals can screen heart conditions with the help of an EKG machine for at-home use when they are experiencing atrial fibrillation, which comes and goes, or feeling other symptoms. Cardiac issues may occur irregularly; by taking 10-second ECG reading, the heart condition can be captured and saved. You can share the results with your healthcare provider to assess measurements and get timely medical treatment.
Dr. Carolina Melgar
Certified Cardiologist
“A portable home EKG device can make a huge difference in identifying irregular heart rhythms. They’re getting more affordable and you can help your doctor by catching a Afib event!”
Heart conditions that ECG machine can detect
The EKGraph is a portable device that helps to monitor and assess heart conditions. To do home EKG monitoring, the patient has to hold the device between hands for 10 seconds to record the heart’s electrical activity. This portable EKG machine can also record multiple LEADs (Hand to Hand, Wrist to Hand, Hand to Ankle/Leg, Chest to Hand/Palm ) to show you a complete picture of your heart health. Once measurements are made, you can download the ECG report into your smartphone, email, print it, or message it to a healthcare provider (which is also one of the features of EKGraph). At-home EKG machines allow patients to detect different heart conditions. These include the following:
Arrhythmia
This condition affects about 7% of people without causing any symptoms. By performing an ECG test, the doctor can diagnose abnormalities as early as possible so the patient has the best chance for successful treatment.
Learn more about irregular heartbeat here
Coronary artery disease
With the help of an EKG machine, it is possible to check whether coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, are narrowed or blocked.
Heart valve problems
ECG machines can detect issues with heart valves, such as leaky valves.
Heart attack
Portable EKG machine cannot detect heart attacks. Instead, it can reveal if the patient has had a heart attack in the past or if the one is at risk of having one.
Heart rhythm problems
A handheld EKG machine helps individuals to monitor heart conditions and identify an abnormal heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.
How to take accurate readings with a home ECG machine
For taking accurate measurements, it is necessary to follow some rules. They include:
- relax before taking the reading;
- do not take a reading after physical activity;
- make sure you do not have sweat or moisture on your skin;
- do not drink cold liquids before taking the reading;
- make sure to take off all jewelry near the sensor;
- avoid putting cream or lotion on the skin as it affects the way electrodes contact the skin.
ECG vs EKG: what’s the difference?
ECG and EKG are painless and non-invasive tests used to monitor the overall heart’s health, check for heart conditions after a heart attack, or check for signs of heart disease. EKG and ECG are the same diagnostic test that helps to measure the heart’s electrical activity, and there is no difference between them. ECG stands for electrocardiogram, and EKG is the German spelling for elektrokardiographie.
ECG machine for at-home use is essential for individuals with heart problems. It allows monitoring heart conditions regardless of the location and getting immediate results on heart health.
