abnormalities of the heart valves can be detected more accurately by auscultation than by electrocardiograph.?

Question

why is this so?

Answer 1

To answer your question, consider mitral valve prolapse (MVP) as an example.

The principal physical finding on cardiac auscultation is the midsystolic click, a high-pitched sound of short duration. The midsystolic click may be soft or loud, and varies in its timing according to left ventricular (LV) loading and contractility. It is caused by the sudden tensing of the mitral valve apparatus as the leaflets billow into the left atrium during systole. Multiple systolic clicks may be generated by different portions of the mitral leaflets prolapsing at different times during systole. The midsystolic click is frequently followed by a late systolic murmur, usually medium to high pitched and loudest at the apex. The character and intensity of the murmur also vary, from brief and almost inaudible to holosystolic and loud.

The electrocardiogram is often normal in patients with MVP. The most common abnormality is the presence of ST-T wave depression or T-wave inversion in the inferior leads (II, III and aVF). MVP is associated with an increased incidence of false-positive results on exercise electrocardiography, with ST-T wave depression occurring in patients, especially women, with normal coronary arteries. Although arrhythmias may be noted on the resting electrocardiogram or during treadmill or bicycle exercise, they are more reliably detected by continuous ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings.

So basically, auscultation is more reliable than electrocardiograph for a quick detection of valve problems.

Answer 2

A problem with valves leads to either continous murmurs, or to an extra heart sound, depending on what the problem is and where. Either way, you can hear it. Like a previous poster stated, ECGs just measure electrical activity of the heart. Valvular issues won't necessarily show on an ECG, unless they have an electrical component to them.

Answer 3

Heart valve abnormalities do not show on an EKG unless there is a disturbance in the electrical rhythm of the heart.

Answer 4

heart valves are activated by the pumping action of the heart. valve abnormalities are not indicated by the electrical activity of the heart

Answer 5

because you can hear the heart with a stethoscope. An ECG just looks at it.