How can you read cardio graphs?

Answer 1

You need to specify what type of "cardio graphs" you mean. There are many types of heart tests including EKG or ECG, vector cardiographs, echocardiograms, and stress echocardiograms. They are all specialized medical tests and require an M.D. to legally interpret, but can be "read" by anyone capable of understanding them. The electrocardiogram is the easiest to interpret. One waveform representing one heartbeat is comprised of the P wave, The QRS, and the T wave. The PR interval represents the time interval between when the atria receive the signal (from the sino-atrial node) to beat, and the time when the ventricles receive the signal to beat. If this interval is too long, or outside the normal range, there is usually a heart block, referred to as an AV block. If the QRS is lengthened, that indicates another type of heart block of which there are 3 types (1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree block). The length of the ST interval and ST segmental depression are related to the transmission of the signal through the Perkinje fibers and the Perkinje network of the ventricles and are used in stress testing to determine heart damage or blockage of the coronary arteries. ST depression can also be used to determine if the patient is having a heart attack. This is just an elementary description of EKG interpretation and illustrates that the interpretation of these tests is quite complicated. There are many other factors that need to be considered such as history of heart attacks, electrolyte levels, age, risk factors, previous surgeries and lifestyle. Echocardiography is the observation of all 4 chambers and valves of the heart using realtime ultrasound imaging and involves Doppler and color-flow Doppler waveforms and flow velocities, including analysis of reguritant jets and valvular insufficiencies. Echo is used in conjunction with stress testing to analyze ventricular wall motion abnormalities indicating coronary artery blockage. This interpretation requires extensive experience and practice to interpret accurately. There are many textbooks in medical libraries that can be referenced to better understand the interpretation of EKGs and echocardiograms.