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EKG devices were invented in the early 1900’s and are one of the most important diagnostic tools used today in modern medicine. Soon after its initial introduction, many significant improvements were made in the technology of EKG machines. The most important improvement was in the size of the electromagnet. It was reduced significantly in size, which allowed the machine to be more portable. Secondly, the electrodes were developed allowing the machine to be attached directly to the skin.

Originally, patients were required to submerge their arms and legs into electrode jars that contained a large volume of sodium chloride solution. Other improvements were made later that improved the electronic signal and made the data from the EKG immediately available. Modern EKG machines are similar to earlier models, but not necessarily more accurate.

An EKG (electrocardiogram) machine graphically records all electrical activity of the heart. The primary function of an EKG machine relies on the heart’s ability to produce electric signals. A heart consists of four chambers and two pumps. Electrodes that are attached to the body allow physicians to measure the voltage of impulses in various positions in the heart with EKG machines.

Each heartbeat produces three distinct EKG waves. The P wave measures the electric signal that is generated by the pacemaker. The QRS complex is the largest signal and it graphically represents an electrical signal that that is created by relaxation of the atria and contraction of ventricles. Lastly, the T wave shows the relaxing of the ventricles.

EKG’s provide doctors with useful information that can assist in detection of heart function problems. An EKG machine is most useful in detecting abnormal heartbeats, known as arrhythmias. EKS’s are also commonly used by doctors to observe and treat obstructions in the arteries.

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Paramedics can use EKG machines to determine if an emergency patient is having a heart attack and send the results to a local hospital while in route. For an individual in a cardiac crisis, this technology is priceless. This breakthrough technology enhances the quality of care for heart attack victims and saves lives. Time is of the essence when dealing with patients who are suffering from heart attacks and this process can decrease what medical professionals refer to as “door to balloon” time significantly, which describes the amount of time between the onset of the attack and the opening of the arteries. By national standards, the allotted time to complete the entire procedure is 90 minutes. However, with paramedics using this technique, blood flow can often be restored in as little as 30 minutes.

An acute heart attack can cause irreversible brain damage within four to six minutes after the heart stops pumping a patient stops breathing. Statistics consistently show that when heart attack victims are not resuscitated before arriving at the hospital, survival is highly unlikely. Outcomes improved significantly when resuscitation time was 15 minutes or less. Therefore, heart patients are always advised to call 911 immediately if they think they are having a heart attack so that trained paramedics can assess the situation and provide treatment on-site and briskly transport the individual to the hospital for heart catheterization to clear the blockage.

EKG machines in ambulances along with specially trained EMS personnel help to expedite the whole process in general. Once the paramedics supply the emergency personnel at the hospital with the patient’s EKG readings, the hospital workers can be prepared for treatment decisions, rather than evaluation, and can swiftly mobilize the patient upon arrival reducing further cardiac damage and preventing death.

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