The heart, like any human organ, is controlled by bursts of impulses coming from the brain through the nervous system. It is obvious that any violation of the control system leads to serious consequences for the body.
The electrical axis of the heart( EOS) is the total vector of all pulses observed in the conducting system of this organ during one cycle of contraction. Most often it coincides with the anatomical axis.
The norm for the electric axis is the position at which the vector is positioned diagonally, that is, it is directed downwards and to the left. However, in some cases this parameter may deviate from the norm. On the position of the axis, a cardiologist can learn a lot about the work of the heart muscle and possible problems.
Normal position of
Depending on the physique of a person, distinguishes three basic values of this indicator , each of whichunder certain conditions is considered normal.
- In most patients with normal physique, the angle between the horizontal coordinate and the electrodynamic activity vector is 30 ° to 70 °.
- For asthenics and lean people, the normal angle is 90 °.
- In low, dense people, on the contrary, the value of the angle of inclination is less - from 0 ° to 30 °.
The possible position of the EOS is presented in this photo:
Reasons for the changes
The deviation of the electrical activity vector of the heart muscle by itself is not a diagnosis, but can indicate, among other things, serious disorders. Its position is affected by many parameters:
- congenital malformations;
- acquired organ anatomy changes leading to hypertrophy of the left or right ventricle;
- malfunctions in the conductive system of the organ, in particular, the blockade of separate sections of the bundle of the Guiss, which is responsible for conducting nerve impulses to the ventricles;
- cardiomyopathies due to various causes;
- chronic heart failure;
- constant hypertension for a long time;
- chronic respiratory diseases, such as obstructive pulmonary disease or bronchial asthma, can lead to a deviation of the electrical axis to the right.
How to determine the electrocardiogram
The angle of EOS is considered one of the main parameters that is studied when decoding ECG parameters. For a cardiologist, this parameter is an important diagnostic parameter, the anomalous value of which clearly signals various abnormalities and pathologies.
When examining the patient's ECG, the diagnostician can determine the position of the EOS by examining the teeth of the QRS complex, which show the operation of the ventricles on the graph.
The increased amplitude of the R wave in the I or III thoracic leads of the graph signal that the electrical axis of the heart is deflected to the left or right, respectively.
Diagnosis and additional procedures
As mentioned earlier, the deviation of EOS to the right of the ECG is not considered a pathology in itself, but serves as a diagnostic sign of the disorders of its functioning. In the overwhelming majority of cases of , this symptom suggests that the right ventricle and / or the right atrium are abnormally enlarged by , and finding out the reasons for this hypertrophy allows you to make a correct diagnosis.
For more accurate diagnosis, the following procedures can be used:
- ultrasound is the method with the highest informativeness showing changes in organ anatomy;
- chest X-ray can reveal myocardial hypertrophy;
- daily observation of ECG is used if, in addition to the deviation of EOS, there are also irregularities in the rhythm;
- ECG under load helps in detecting myocardial ischemia;
- coronary angiography( CAG) diagnoses lesions of the coronary arteries, which can also lead to an inclination of EOS.
What diseases are caused by
The pronounced deviation of the electric axis to the right can signal the following diseases or pathologies:
- Ischemic heart disease .An incurable disease characterized by clogging of the coronary arteries that feed blood to the heart muscle. With uncontrolled development leads to myocardial infarction.
- Congenital or acquired pulmonary artery stenosis .This is called the narrowing of this large vessel, which prevents the normal exit of blood from the right ventricle. It leads to increased systolic blood pressure and, as a consequence, to myocardial hypertrophy.
- Atrial fibrillation .Disorderly electrical activity of the atria, which, in the end, can cause cerebral stroke.
- Chronic pulmonary heart .It occurs when the lung function is broken or chest pathologies that lead to the inability of the left ventricle to work fully. In such conditions, the load on the right ventricle significantly increases, which leads to its hypertrophy.
- Defect of the interatrial septum .This defect is expressed in the presence of holes in the septum between the atria, through which the blood can be discharged from the left side to the right. As a result, heart failure and pulmonary hypertension develop.
- Mitral valve stenosis is a narrowing of the opening between the left atrium and the left ventricle, which leads to a difficulty in the diastolic movement of the blood. Refers to acquired defects.
- Thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery .It is caused by thrombi, which after the appearance in large vessels move along the circulatory system and clog the artery or its branches.
- Primary pulmonary hypertension is a permanent high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, which is caused by various causes.
What to do
In case the electrocardiogram showed the tilt of the electric axis of the heart to the right, then, without delay, conduct a more extensive diagnostic examination with the doctor .Depending on the problem identified with deeper diagnosis, the doctor will be prescribed appropriate treatment.
The heart is one of the most important parts of the human body, and therefore its condition should be the subject of increased attention. Unfortunately, it is often remembered only when it begins to ache.
To prevent such situations, should adhere to at least general recommendations for the prevention of cardiac dysfunction : eat right, do not neglect a healthy lifestyle, and at least once a year undergo a checkup with a cardiologist.
If, in the results of the electrocardiogram, there is an entry on the deviation of the electrical axis of the heart, a deeper diagnosis should be carried out immediately to determine the causes of this phenomenon.
