Your heart thumps when an electrical impulse is sent from the sinoatrial node (SA node) situated in the right atrium of the heart. Such signals work like a natural pacemaker and help the heart to keep a consistent pace. The electrical movement starting in the heart is a result of the dispersion of calcium, sodium, and potassium ions over the cell layers.
An electrocardiogram follows the path of the electrical impulse beginning in the sinoatrial node as it goes through the heart. The impulses create ECG waves that can be displayed by an ECG monitor. These waves are caught by means of electrodes connected to the skin on three distinct points - chest, arms, and legs.
The waves showcase the succession of depolarisation (positive current) and repolarisation (negative current) produced by electrical impulses in the heart.
In ICUs, ECG is commonly utilized for persistent checking of the patient pulse and the recognition of any potentially lethal cardiac variations such as arrhythmias, yet likewise, serve as a diagnostic device.
Commonly Utilized Systems
3-Lead Monitoring
This type of ECG Machine utilizes 3 electrodes on the torso.
5-Lead Monitoring
This type of ECG Machine utilizes 5 electrodes on the torso.
12-Lead Monitoring
12-Lead Portable Bluetooth ECG utilizes 10 cathodes on the torso as well as the limbs.
12 Lead ECG Format
A 12 Lead ECG Monitor prints out 2.5 sec of each lead.
The devices computer at that point analyses 10 seconds from all the 12 leads and prints just 2.5 seconds of each group.
Parts of an ECG Monitor
The standard ECG comprises of 12 leads.
12-lead ECG monitor has six leads which are called "limb leads" since they are put on the arms and/or legs of a person.
The other six leads are called "precordial leads" since they are attached on a persons torso (precordium).
The six limb leads are named as lead I, II, III, aVL, aVR, and aVF.
The letter "a" means "augmented," as these leads are determined as a mix of leads I, II, and III.
The six precordial leads are named as leads V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, and V6.
5-lead monitoring is equivalent to 3-lead monitoring, but the availability of two extra electrodes empowers the thorough monitoring of additional leads and helps improve the ST elevation readings.
Why Utilize 12 Lead?
While 5-lead monitoring can give a sufficient measure of data, if something of concern such as a heart arrhythmia is noted, 12-lead monitoring might be utilized so as to gain a better idea about the issue.
A 12-lead heart monitor is thus commonly viewed as the standard type of ECG as it gives the most comprehensive and elaborate data.
A 12-Lead Portable Bluetooth ECG is a significant apparatus in clinical settings since it can provide an abundance of data, for instance, analysis of advancing MI; recognize possibly dangerous arrhythmias; long haul impact of sustained hypertension; or intense impacts of a pulmonary embolus. As opposed to cardiovascular monitoring, the 12 lead ECG displays the 3-dimensional electrical movement of the heart recorded from 12 distinct leads and provides the entire picture.