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What are the lines on an ECG called?

Joe Ford

What are the lines on an ECG called?

The electrocardiogram translates the heart’s electrical activity into line tracings on paper. The spikes and dips in the line tracings are called waves. The P wave is a record of the electrical activity through the upper heart chambers (atria).

What does straight line in ECG mean?

ECG Waveforms. The baseline or isoelectric line. This is represented as a straight line on the ECG paper where there is no positive or negative charges of electricity to create deflections. Waveforms. These are representations of electrical activity created by depolarization and repolarization of the atria and …

What is difference between EKG and ECG?

An electrocardiogram or electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG) is the same thing. An electrocardiogram or electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG) is the same thing. An EKG is a test that examines the heart function by measuring the electrical activity of the heart.

How do you read an EKG line?

How to read an ECG

  1. Thin Lines: 1 mm intervals or 0.04 sec.
  2. Thick lines: 5 mm intervals or .2sec.
  3. 1 thick lined box (5 small boxes) = .20 sec or 5mm.
  4. 5 thick lines boxes (25 small boxes)= 1 second.
  5. 10 mm = 1 mV.
  6. Tick Marks on ECG paper rhythm strip: 3 secs.

What is a good ECG reading?

Normal range 120 – 200 ms (3 – 5 small squares on ECG paper). QRS duration (measured from first deflection of QRS complex to end of QRS complex at isoelectric line). Normal range up to 120 ms (3 small squares on ECG paper).

What causes sinus rhythm?

Sinus rhythm refers to the rhythm of your heart beat, determined by the sinus node of your heart. The sinus node creates an electrical pulse that travels through your heart muscle, causing it to contract, or beat. You can think of the sinus node as a natural pacemaker.

What are the risks of irregular heartbeat?

But other times, irregular heart rhythm, or arrhythmia, may be a serious problem. Untreated arrhythmias such as tachycardia or atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF) can have serious consequences, including cardiac arrest and stroke.

How long can you live with atrial fibrillation?

This type of atrial fibrillation is continuous and lasts longer than 12 months. Permanent. In this type of atrial fibrillation, the abnormal heart rhythm can’t be restored. You’ll have atrial fibrillation permanently, and you’ll often require medications to control your heart rate and to prevent blood clots.