Definition of Electrocardiogram
Electrocardiogram: A recording of the electrical
activity of the heart.
An electrocardiogram is a simple, non-invasive procedure. Electrodes
are placed on the skin of the chest and connected in a specific order
to a machine that, when turned on, measures electrical activity all
overaround the heart. Output is usually in the form of a long scroll
of paper displaying a printed graph of activity. Newer models output
the data directly to a computer and screen, although a print-out may
still be made.
To
take a specific situation, the initial diagnosis of a heart
attack is usually made by a combination of clinical symptoms and
characteristic
electrocardiogram (EKG) changes. The EKG can detect areas of muscle
ischemia (muscle
deprived of oxygen) and/or dead tissue in the heart.
Last Editorial Review: 3/26/1998 2:24:00 PM
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