What is
electrocardiography?
Electrocardiography is the generation of a tracing or graph of
electrical activity in the heart.
What is an electrocardiogram or
electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG)?
An electrocardiogram or electrocardiograph (ECG
or EKG) is the actual tracing or graph of the heart's electrical
activity produced in electrocardiography.
What is an electrocardiograph machine?
An electrocardiograph machine is a device that measures and records
electrical activity in the heart by the use of ECG pads placed on
the chest and connected to wires, call leads. The leads are
connected to a bedside monitor where the information is displayed.
ECGs are usually measured in at least one view (i.e., one line on
the monitor). Many doctors and nurses want more than one view, often
as many as twelve views, also called leads. To measure these
different views, ECG pads are placed on several parts of the body.
The nurse determines where to place these pads based on the view of
the heart that is desired.
Why is the patient attached to the ECG
bedside monitor?
The ECG bedside monitor displays the heart rate and rhythm so that
the doctor or nurse can determine whether or not the heart is
beating normally.
What information does the ECG provide?
By continuously monitoring the electrical activity in the heart, the
ICU staff can tell if the heart is beating too fast or slow and if
the heart is following a normal or abnormal rhythm. The ECG is one
of the most common monitoring devices used in the hospital. Changes
in the heart rate or rhythm may be the first sign that something
dangerous is developing and alert the doctor or nurse to investigate
further. Frequently, the ECG indicates something is wrong long
before it would be detected otherwise.
How long is an ECG used?
ECGs are used as long as the doctors and nurses believe the
patient's heart is at risk or want more information about how the
patient's heart is beating.
What is a normal heart rate expressed in
beats per minute (pulse)?
Normal heart rates vary between 60-100 beats per minute. A lower
heart rate may be normal in particularly fit people.
What is wrong when the heart rate is low or
high?
Variation in heart rate, fast or slow, is very common among
critically ill or injured patients. Not every fast or slow heart
rate signifies danger to the patient. ICU patients are at increased
risk to develop abnormal heart rates and rhythms. If the heart rate
is low, the heart may not be pumping enough blood. If the heart rate
is high, the heart may be working too hard or is trying to pump more
blood.
Do the ECG pads or ECG monitoring hurt?
No. The adhesive on the
ECG
pads may pull slightly on the skin. ECG monitoring is harmless and
causes no pain.
Are there any potential complications
associated with ECG monitoring?
No.
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ECG and heart rate (HR - 118) displayed on a bedside
monitor |
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Close up of paper ECG tracing |
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Electrocardiography
