Electrocardiograph

Introduction

An electrocardiograph is a simple to test of the rhymes and electrical signals in the heart. This test able to detect heart diseases and monitors the health of the heart. An electrocardiograph is also known as an electrocardiogram, EGC, or EKG. As the electric impulses pass through our heart it produces a current that is passed through our body and reaches the skin.

In this test, sensors are attached to the skin so that it can identify the heart's electrical activity. These electrical signals are recorded in the EGC machine. This EGC test is done by health care personnel and doctors in hospitals or clinics. The heart muscles contract because of the electric activity of the heart. As the heart muscles contract, it causes pumping of the heart. The heart pumps continuously from birth to death. The EGC is in the form of waves that are constituted of spikes and dips. The pattern of wave assists to access the rhymes and rate of heartbeat.

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Types of EGC

There are mainly three types of EGC that can be described below

• Resting EGC − To measure the electrical activity of the heart this type of electrogram is used. This standard test is done when an individual is at rest and relaxed. The ECG monitor records heart electrical signals with the help of 12 electrodes. The electrodes are connected to the chest, arms, and legs at the same time.

• Exercise EGC − This type of test is also known as a stress test and treadmill test. The test result is monitored in the machine when the person walks on a treadmill and stationary cycle during exercise. In this stress test blood pressure and rate of breathing are observed. The test can detect coronary artery diseases in addition to this it also determines whether an individual can limit exercise after a heart attack or any heart-related surgery.

• Holter monitor − This type of test continually monitors EGC tracing continuously for 24 hours and a longer period. Electrodes are attached to certain places on the legs, chest, and arms. A Holter monitor is a small wearable device that can record the continuous EGC of our heart.

Apart from these main types of EGC, the other types are listed below that are used by healthcare professionals, not on a regular basis

• Cardiopulmonary exercise test − This test can detect the problem of the cardiopulmonary system. This test is used to identify cardiac and pulmonary diseases.

• Signal average electrocardiogram −Signal average cardiogram is the more advanced and detailed type of electrocardiogram. In this test, multiple EGC tracing is done over a period of approximately 20 minutes to capture an abnormal heartbeat.

• Event monitor − This is the same as the Hotelier monitor. But it can record our heart's electrical activity only for a certain time for a few minutes at a time. It can wear it up to 30 days.

Measuring ECG

The process of measuring electrocardiograph is described below

• The process of measuring electrocardiograph is described below

• The EGC machine is connected to the electrodes that are attached to the specific body parts.

• These electrodes are connected to EGC with wires that help out detect the electrical impulses of an individual heartbeat.

• These electrodes are able to identify changes in the electrical path of the skin immediately on the skin that arises from heart muscles.

Normal values

• Heart rate 60 - 100 bpm

• PR interval 0.12 - 0.20 s

• QRS interval ≤ 0.12 s

• QT interval < half RR interval (males < 0.40 s; females < 0.44 s)

• P wave amplitude (in lead II) ≤ 3 mV (mm)

• P wave terminal negative deflection (in lead V1) ≤ 1 mV (mm)

• Q wave < 0.04 s (1 mm) and < 1/3 of R wave amplitude in the same lead

Different waves in EGC

The electrocardiograph is constituted of three types of waves that can be described below

• P wave − It represents the depolarization that occurs in the atrium. It is a deflection wave that is small.

• PR interval − The PR interval represents the time between the first deflection of the P wave and the QRS wave complex

• QRS wave complex − QRS complex represents the three ventricular depolarization initiating ventricular contraction and leading to the beginning of the systole. R wave precedes upward deflection immediately after the P wave while the Q wave is a downward deflection. At the heart base level, the S wave signifies the final depolarization of the ventricles.

• ST segment − The time between the end of the QRS wave complex and the beginning of the T wave is known as the ST segment.

• T wave − T wave means the return of ventricles to the normal state that leads to the end of the systole

Use and application of EGC

The primary function of an electrocardiogram measures the heart’s electrical activity. The main uses of EGC are as follows

• To remote detection and measurement of heart rate that includes function, activity, and condition of the heart.

• To test cardiac function

• Diagnosis of heart disease.

• Monitoring heart patient condition

• Assessing the abnormalities of electrolytes.

• It is also used to detect possible heart problems like chest pain, dizziness, short breathlessness, rapid pulse, and light-headedness.

• Weakness, fatigue, or loss of ability to do exercise.

Application of EGC

• It measures the rate, pattern, and rhythm of the contraction of the heart.

• It can detect whether the heart is healthy or not or any other heart-related anomalies

• It gives the doctor to identify the location of the heart where it is damaged

• It can detect arrhythmia.

• It can also help to identify the location and amount of injury that is happened due to a heart attack. After diagnosis doctor can treat the patient.

• Sometimes due to hypertension and other diseases heart can damage, so the doctor used the EGC to identify the part that is damaged.

Conclusion

An electrocardiograph is a simple to test to measure the electrical signals in the heart. This test able to detect heart diseases and monitors the health of the heart. To detect the electrical signals sensors produced by the heart sensors are attached to the skin of the legs, arms, and chest. There are mainly three types of EGC are there mainly Resting EGC, Exercise EGC, and Holter Monitor.

FAQs

Q1. How much time does it takes a do an EGC?

Ans. It takes hardly 5-10 minutes to do an EGC.

Q2. What is arrhythmia?

Ans. Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. In case of arrhythmia, the heart beats either too slowly or too fast.

Q3. What is a heart attack?

Ans. When the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly stopped it leads to a heart attack. The symptoms of heart attack included sweating, breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness, etc. The person who suffered from a heart attack seeks immediate medical attention.

Q4. What is lightheadedness?

Ans. It is a feeling of dizziness and faintness.