With EKGs, the polarization and depolarization are measured by a standard that is described more or less by the 2nd half of the alphabet. So no ABC or XYZ. The EKGs are commonly referred to as the ‘PQRST’ sequence.
Each chemical charge is recorded as the atriums and ventricles open and close. The very familiar looking graphs are described as the ‘PQRS’ waves. When the cardiac muscle is injured or dead (as injury to cardiac muscle is death) the chemical electricity must find a way around the damaged (dead muscle) and this flow can be recorded on an EKG.
In some cases the extended time (split seconds by the way) can be diagrammed. In a common example the level of the distance between the ‘S’ and ‘T’ waves might be abnormally elongated indicating an injury to the cardiac muscle. Such an injury is commonly referred to as a ‘Stemmi’ which is an abbreviation for S T Myo Cardial Infarction. Other attributes of heart injuries can also be detected via EKG analysis.
Commonly an EKG is referred to as a ‘12 Lead.’ Only 10 diodes usually placed but some are used in more than one aspect of the ‘test.’
It is much more complex than that but it is a rather common test which most persons have undergone. Personally, I have have personally had at least a hundred. I could not possibly recall them all.
Anyhow, I have done EKGs on many dozens of Patients. I understand a bit.
Once I get my new Hosting site set up, I will be able to provide graphics. This will be a number of weeks away at minimum.
Heart attack slide -
I like science-y stuff and occasionally wondered how doctors could tell that someone had a heart attack in the past when they didn’t even know they had one. Your explanation about longer flow time of the chemical/electrical pulses around dead areas of the heart made it clear. Thank you for solving that puzzle for me.
Fascinating, I had no idea! I’ve had a lot of weird heart incidents and 2 EKGs (thankfully no evidence of damage, so far) and now I am much better informed. Of course “they” never told me a single thing.
Thank you for that info.
Thank you for expanding my very rudimentary understanding of the EKG.