ECG
Cardiac rhythm readout
ECG is electrocardiogram—a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
Electrodes placed on the skin detect the tiny electrical signals produced with each heartbeat, generating a distinctive waveform that reveals heart rhythm, rate, and potential abnormalities.
The ECG showed an irregular heartbeat.
Also called EKG, from the German spelling.
Heart's electrical activity record
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
- ischemiaInsufficient tissue blood supply
- infarctionTissue necrosis from ischemia
- anginaIschemic chest discomfort
atrial fibrillation · bradycardia · tachycardia · myocarditis · pericarditis · cardiomyopathy · hypertrophy · QT prolongation
Cardiac contractions per minute
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
- sinus rhythmHeart's proper electrical timing
- cardiac cycleOne complete heart contraction-relaxation
- heartbeatRhythmic cardiac contraction
pulse · atria · ventricles · myocardium · contraction · systole · diastole · coronary
Maximum oscillation displacement
- baselineStandard for comparison
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- depolarizationLoss of electrical gradient
- repolarizationMembrane voltage reset
tracing · waveform · morphology · voltage · interpretation
Electrical contact points
- leadsGoes in front
- precordialRelating to chest area over heart
- portable monitorTransportable secondary screen
- telemetryDistant automated data collection
defibrillator · stress test · treadmill · gel · cable · printout · gain · calibration
Captured audio or video
- tracingCopying by following lines
- placementPutting somewhere specific
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- noninvasiveNot penetrating tissue
continuous monitoring · bedside · screening · routine · interpretation · reading · analysis · comparison
electrocardiogram
Heart's electrical activity record
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
- ischemiaInsufficient tissue blood supply
- infarctionTissue necrosis from ischemia
angina · atrial fibrillation · bradycardia · tachycardia · myocarditis · pericarditis · cardiomyopathy · hypertrophy · QT prolongation · heart block
heart rate
Cardiac contractions per minute
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
- sinus rhythmHeart's proper electrical timing
- cardiac cycleOne complete heart contraction-relaxation
heartbeat · pulse · atria · ventricles · myocardium · contraction · systole · diastole · coronary
amplitude
Maximum oscillation displacement
- baselineStandard for comparison
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- depolarizationLoss of electrical gradient
repolarization · tracing · waveform · morphology · voltage · interpretation
electrodes
Electrical contact points
- leadsGoes in front
- precordialRelating to chest area over heart
- portable monitorTransportable secondary screen
telemetry · defibrillator · stress test · treadmill · gel · cable · printout · gain · calibration · filter
recording
Captured audio or video
- tracingCopying by following lines
- placementPutting somewhere specific
- attachmentConnection or fondness
noninvasive · continuous monitoring · bedside · screening · routine · interpretation · reading · analysis · comparison
- ECGelectrodes, leads, waveform, tracing, lead wire
- electrophysiologyaction potential, electrodes, EEG, EMG, inside-out
- Bioelectronicsbiosensors, EEG, EMG, pacemakers, electrophysiology
- Heart-Lung Testscardiac stress test, echocardiogram, stress test, spirometry, echocardiography
- abbreviationsMr, Mrs, Ms, Dr, Jr
- medical equipmentstethoscope, AED, syringe, hospital bed, surgical table
- ECG machineRecords cardiac electrical activity
- ECG monitorCardiac electrical activity display