An electrocardiogram, commonly known as an EKG or ECG, is a quick, non-invasive test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. While an EKG is a diagnostic tool, it does not directly detect a stroke. Instead, it assesses heart health, revealing cardiac conditions that significantly increase stroke risk.
Understanding Electrocardiograms
An electrocardiogram records the electrical signals generated by the heart with each beat. Small, sticky patches called electrodes are placed on the chest, arms, and legs, connected to an EKG machine. This machine measures and interprets the electrical impulses as they travel through the heart’s chambers.
The EKG provides information about the heart’s rate, rhythm, and the timing and strength of electrical signals. Healthcare professionals analyze the wavy lines produced by the EKG to identify abnormalities. This test diagnoses various heart conditions such as irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), previous heart attacks, and heart muscle damage or enlargement.
EKG’s Role in Stroke Risk Assessment
An EKG plays an important role in stroke risk assessment by identifying underlying heart conditions that can lead to a stroke. When a stroke is experienced, an EKG may be performed to investigate potential cardiac causes.
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm, is a key connection. AFib can cause blood to pool in the heart’s upper chambers, leading to blood clot formation. If these clots travel to the brain, they can block blood flow and cause an ischemic stroke. Other arrhythmias and conditions like a previous heart attack or heart damage can also affect the heart’s pumping efficiency, increasing the risk of clot formation. Detecting these cardiac conditions through an EKG allows healthcare providers to implement preventative treatments, reducing the likelihood of a future stroke.
Accurate Stroke Diagnosis
When a stroke is suspected, immediate and accurate diagnosis is important because treatment effectiveness is highly time-dependent. The primary diagnostic tools for a stroke focus on neurological assessment and brain imaging.
A neurological examination evaluates symptoms such as facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties, common indicators of a stroke. Brain imaging techniques confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of stroke. A Computed Tomography (CT) scan is often the first imaging test, quickly identifying bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke) or ruling it out, which is necessary before administering clot-busting medications for an ischemic stroke.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides more detailed images and can show areas of brain damage from an ischemic stroke earlier and more clearly than a CT scan, though it takes longer to perform. Additional tests include carotid ultrasound for blockages in neck arteries, and echocardiogram to identify clot sources within the heart. Blood tests are also conducted to rule out other conditions and assess factors like clotting ability.
Urgency of Stroke Recognition
Recognizing stroke symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention is an important step in preserving brain function. The concept of “Time is Brain” highlights that for every minute a stroke goes untreated, approximately 1.9 million brain cells can be lost. This rapid loss of brain tissue emphasizes the need for swift action to minimize damage and improve patient outcomes.
Common stroke symptoms can be remembered using the FAST acronym:
- Face drooping: One side may droop or be numb.
- Arm weakness: One arm may be weak or numb.
- Speech difficulty: Slurred speech or trouble speaking/understanding.
- Time to call emergency services.
If any of these symptoms appear suddenly, it is essential to call emergency services. Early treatment, such as clot-busting medications or clot retrieval procedures, is highly time-sensitive and can reduce long-term disability.