Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Running head: ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG) 1
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
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ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG) 2
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
1. Define ischemic heart disease and explain how it presents on ECG readings.
Ischemic refers to the condition in which the oxygenated blood flow is restricted or
reduced in supply in parts of the body. Thus cardiac ischemia represents the decreased
oxygenated blood flow to the heart chambers. In reference to what ischemia constitutes, ischemic
heart diseases can be defined as a health issue of the heart, which is as a result of narrowed heart
arteries. It is as a result of narrowed heart arteries that leads to less blood and oxygen flow to the
heart chambers leading to heart health condition referred to as ischemic heart disorders. Ischemic
heart disorders are also referred to as coronary heart disorders that lead to a heart attack. The
condition often causes chest pain and discomfort. Other signs and symptoms of ischemic heart
diseases include shortness of breath, swellings in legs and feet, extreme fatigue, and fainting
(Dunbar & Saul, 2009).
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is an important diagnostic test for patients with ischemic
heart disorders. Abnormalities of the heart cause changes in the ECG readings in the ST-
segment, T wave and in the QRS complex (Lippi, Franchini, & Cervellin, 2013). The common
ECG patterns of ischemia are horizontal or downsloping of ST-segment depression of 1mm or
more and T- wave inversion. The signs of ischemia heart disorder can be isolated to ECG leads
overlying the involved myocardium, which indicates that the condition is localized or present in
many ECG leads, indicating the condition is widespread.
2. Define myocardial infarction and explain how it presents on ECG readings.
Myocardial infarction is also referred to as a heart attack. It is a life-threating illness that
mostly occurs when blood flow to the heart chambers is abruptly cut off, leading into tissue
damage. The condition is as a result of the blockage of the heart arteries by the blood clot. The

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG) 3
main cause is often atherosclerosis which involves the buildup of fatty plaque or cholesterol in
the arteries of the heart. It is the fibrous material covering the fatty plague that ruptures, leading
to the formation of a blood clot. Some of the symptoms of myocardial infarction include pain in
the chest, sweating, cough, nausea, and shortness of breath (Dunbar & Saul, 2009).
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is an important diagnostic test in a patient with myocardial
infarction. The ECG reading changes in the indication of myocardial infarction include elevation
of ST which shows the presence of heart injury, changes in Q waves which indicates the
presence of necrosis and the change in T- wave inversion indicating the evolution of myocardial
infarction. All these changes in ECG indicate the presence of infarction that occurs in leads
facing the damaged tissue (Bischof et al., 2016).
3. Define pericarditis and then explain how it presents on ECG and how it differs from a
myocardial infarction.
Pericarditis refers to the health issue that involves the swelling of two thin layers that
surrounds the heart. The two thin layers referred to as pericardium holds are important in the
functioning of the heart as they hold it in place. Within the two layers is the fluid which keeps
the two layers separate besides preventing friction and protecting the heart from infection. When
the two layers undergo swelling and inflammation, it results in the condition referred to as
pericardial disorder. The main causes of pericardial inflammation may include bacterial
infections, trauma, tumors, and heart surgery. Other causes may include autoimmune diseases
such as rheumatoid arthritis. The main signs and symptoms of pericarditis disease include
increased heart rate, chest pain, and fever (Quinn et al., 2017).
One of the ways which the doctor can use to diagnose pericarditis is the use of ECG
results. The presence of pericarditis causes widespread ST elevation or PR depression in ECG