Take a close look at this electrocardiogram (ECG) of a patient whose heart progressively goes into cardiac arrest. You may notice the ST segment elevations progressively develop into premature ventricular contractions; followed by the deep Q waves which may be a sign that this patient suffered from a prior or concurrent myocardial infarction; then eventual ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation!
During this time, the heart’s electrical system malfunctions and its lower chambers, also known as the ventricles, suddenly start beating chaotically causing abnormal, or irregular, heart rhythms called arrhythmias. This leads to the heart no longer pumping blood and death can occur within minutes after the heart stops. Cardiac arrest may be prevented if CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is performed and a defibrillator is used to shock the heart and restore a normal heart rhythm within a few minutes. If there was ever a way to stare death straight into the face, this ECG is an example of just that! Perhaps this is part of the reason why it has been said that: ‘if there are no ups and downs in our life, it means we’re dead.’
With this in our hearts, let’s make the intentions to embrace all the ups and downs we may be experiencing midway through this week and take a second to appreciate the fact that our heart is currently beating for us!
For more, check out our video on #USMLEStep2ck on YouTube.
Written by Student Doctors: Navpreet Singh Badesha and @navi.kaur_
©02/28/2018 All Rights Reserved.
Inspired by: @fueledbymedicine (on Instagram)
Video Credit: @doctordconline (on Instagram)
