Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a medical test that records the electrical activity of
the heart. The test is painless, non-invasive, and takes only a few minutes to
complete. ECG is a valuable diagnostic tool for evaluating the heart’s health and
function.

The heart is a muscular organ that beats continuously to pump blood throughout
the body. It has its own electrical system that controls its rhythm and rate. ECG
records the electrical impulses generated by the heart, which are then displayed
on a monitor or paper. The test is performed using electrodes placed on the skin
of the chest, arms, and legs.

It can help diagnose various heart conditions, such as arrhythmias, myocardial
infarction, and heart failure. It can also help monitor the effectiveness of
treatments, or cardiac surgeries such as pacemakers implant.

During an ECG, the electrodes detect the electrical activity of the heart and
transmit the information to a machine that converts it into a graph. The graph
shows a series of waves that represent different phases of the heart’s electrical
cycle. The P wave represents the electrical activity that causes the atria to
contract, while the QRS complex represents the electrical activity that causes
the ventricles to contract. The T wave represents the recovery of the ventricles
after contraction.

The ECG can also provide information about the heart’s rate and rhythm. The
heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute, while the heart
rhythm is the pattern of the heartbeats. A normal heart rate ranges between 60
and 100 beats per minute, while a normal rhythm is called sinus rhythm.

Abnormalities in the ECG can indicate various heart conditions. For example,
an irregular rhythm may indicate atrial fibrillation, while a prolonged QT
interval may indicate a risk of arrhythmia. ST segment changes may indicate a
myocardial infarction or ischemia. Other abnormalities may indicate heart
muscle damage or inflammation.

It is a non-invasive, painless, and quick test to evaluate heart activity. ECG can
help diagnose various heart conditions, monitor the effectiveness of treatments,
and provide important information for patient management.