⚠️ Article under construction
We're working on updating the content in this article while we roll out the redesigned Eko App and features of Eko+. You can learn more about it in our What's New in the Redesigned Eko App article.
The Eko App allows you to visualize normal and abnormal heart sounds taken with an Eko device. Here you’ll learn the basics about interpreting a PCG and spotting a murmur.
A phonocardiogram (PCG) is a waveform of heart sounds. It’s a two-dimensional plot of sound intensity (loudness) versus time. Sound intensity is shown on the Y-axis, and time is shown on the X-axis. PCGs allow you to visually group sounds with more ease than when using your ear alone.
The two fundamental heart sounds, S1 and S2, are shown on a PCG as large magnitude deflections occurring one after the other. S1 marks the beginning of systole; S2 marks the beginning of diastole. Depending upon where on the body the sounds were captured, the S1 deflection may be larger, S2 may be larger, or the sounds may be the same size (loudness). At other times the heart is silent, so the PCG will be flat.
When the Eko CORE is connected to the Eko App, you can perform an exam and view the PCG. A PCG recording in the Eko App can be played back, saved, and shared.