An electrocardiogram - often abbreviated, as EKG or ECG - is a noninvasive test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. With each beat, an electrical impulse (or "wave") travels through the heart. This wave causes the muscle to squeeze and pump blood from the heart. The test only takes about five to ten minutes and must be ordered by a doctor.
An EKG gives two major kinds of information. First, by measuring time intervals on the EKG, a doctor can determine how long the electrical wave takes to pass through the heart. Finding out how long a wave takes to travel from one part of the heart to the next shows if the electrical activity is normal or slow, fast or irregular. Second, by measuring the amount of electrical activity passing through the heart muscle, a pediatric cardiologist may be able to find out if parts of the heart are too large or are overworked. A doctor can also evaluate if a patient has had a heart attack, what part of the heart was damaged, and if there is a decreased supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.
Several sensors called electrodes will pick up the electrical activity in the heart. The patient will lie down, and technicians will put several patches (electrodes) on the chest, arms and legs. Usually the electrodes are soft and don't cause any discomfort when they"re put on or taken off by the technician. The electrodes are connected to wires called leads, which are connected to the EKG machine. The electrical activity of the heart then is recorded on a moving strip of paper in the EKG machine. There's no pain or risk associated with having an electrocardiogram. The machine only records the EKG. It doesn't send electricity into the body.
Arrhythmias are disorders of the regular rhythmic beating of the heart. They can take place in a healthy heart and be of minimal consequence, but they may also lead to heart disease, stroke or sudden cardiac death.
There are many diagnostic tests used to evaluate valvular disease, but the most common, electrocardiogram and radiological evaluation, are the main two that will be addressed. ... (Oakes) In order to diagnose aortic stenosis, electrocardiograms (EKGs) and radiological evaluation (X-ray) are essential. ...
It involves a defect in the ventricles, and QT refers to a pattern seen on an electrocardiogram, which will be discussed later. ... Some common ways include electrocardiograms, holter/event monitors, stress tests, electrophysiologic testing, and tilt table tests. An Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test where electrodes (patches with wires) are attached to your skin to measure the electrical impulses given off by your heart. ...
Results Summary of Electrocardiogram test Time HR BP RPE Kpm/min-1 Baseline 74 123/84 0 0 3:00 116 128/80 2 450 6:00 136 132/79 3 600 9:00 166 139/80 4 750 11:00 (AR) 151 140/79 2.5 450 13:00 (PR) 104 133/80 0 0 Two subjects participated in this test, where their blood pressure, heart rate and RPE were recorded at various times during the test. ... The electrocardiogram is recorded on graph paper with divisions. ...
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