Students would have heard about the term electrocardiogram while studying the functions of the human heart. It is a tool for diagnosis and is used regularly for assessing the muscular and electrical functions of the heart. A lot of training is required to trace the ECG and interpret it. The electrical workings of the heart are measured by electrodes attached to the skin, as the heart is none other than an electrical pump with two stages.
Mechanism of ECG
The electrocardiogram checks for different heart conditions by recording the electrical signal from the heart. The ECG shows indirect proof of blood flowing to the muscle of the heart and measures the rhythm and rate of heartbeat. For the tool to have a routine working, a standardised system has been developed for placing the electrode. For the heart to view electrical impulses at least 12 in number, ten electrodes are required. A lead of an electrode is kept on every arm and leg with the wall of the chest, with six of them. The signals originating from every electrode are recorded, and they are shown in a printed format as an electrocardiograph.
The electrodes fixed on various body parts would measure the electric impulses that come from various parts around the heart. Every electrode has normal patterns. Abnormal patterns would be the symptoms of the person having different heart disorders. Using this tool, one could detect different disorders like
Heart attack: Abnormal patterns of heartbeats would help to detect these irregularities. A heart attack damages the muscles of the heart.
Enlarged heart: In this case, there would be larger impulses in place of normal ones.
Abnormal heart rhythms: This would be particularly in case of heart rates that are very slow, very fast or irregular in particular
What Does Abnormal Rhythm Mean?
The abnormal results would be the result of the following defects:
- Heart enlargement
- Heart attack (Previous or present)
- Arteries with poor blood supply
- Heart defect (Congenital)
- Muscle damage of the heart
- Fluctuations in electrolyte content (like calcium and potassium) in the blood
- Swelling around the covering around the heart
- Fluid or swelling in the sac around the heart
It should be noted that the accuracy of the result would be dependent on the conditions in which the test was conducted. Every problem of the heart would not be traced using this tool. There are certain heart conditions without any particular changes in the test results.
From the above discussion, one could say that ECG is an inevitable part while treating the human heart, and further editions of the same would dominate the field of medicine in the years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions on Electrocardiogram
What is the purpose of an electrocardiogram?
Lead wires connect the electrodes to an ECG machine. The heart’s electrical activity is then recorded, interpreted and printed. There is no electrical current sent into the body. Natural electrical impulses help maintain blood flowing properly by coordinating contractions in different areas of the heart.
How is the voltage measured in an ECG?
A potential difference is recorded by the electrodes. Depending on the voltage measured, the ECG needle is deflected a certain distance. The ECG is a graph that shows voltage on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal. The right leg electrode is grounded, where the voltage is zero.
What is the purpose of taking an ECG test?
An ECG is used to determine how well the heart is working. It primarily records the frequency and regularity with which the heart beats (heart rate).
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