Archives: June 2024
Can An EKG Detect a Heart Attack After the Fact?
When the electrocardiogram or EKG was invented, it represented one of the most significant advances in heart healthcare, particularly in managing and diagnosing heart disease. Today, we take this for granted, as we even have watches that act as bona fide, albeit basic, EKGs. Of course, as with most medical devices, EKGs have made lots of technological progress, and from the early days, we now have an evolution known as the 12-lead EKG that can offer even more data about heart health, including whether a patient is having or potentially has had a heart attack.
What Is a Silent Heart Attack and Is It a Problem?
Heart disease remains the leading killer of both men and women in the United States, and a shocking statistic that you may not have known revolves around a phenomenon known as a silent heart attack. The prevalence of silent heart attacks cannot be measured, as by definition – patients do not realize they’ve had one and, therefore, do not get checked for any of the markers. However, it is estimated that up to 45% of all heart attacks may be silent, meaning that the patient either has minimal or no symptoms, and that any discomfort would not be easily attributed to a heart attack.