Read about the latest news on ECG / EKG Machines

EKG machines are still one of the most important diagnostic tools used in health care environments and doctors rely on them to save lives or diagnose the presence of heart disease. By detecting and recording the electrical impulses of the heart, an EKG machine informs physicians of cardiac abnormalities. ECG machine tests can also be used as part of an overall physical exam, particularly for older patients.

While most EKG machines are used when a patient is lying on an examination table, doctors often order stress tests to test the heart’s reaction to physical activity. Either way, a set of electrodes are attached to the patient’s arms, legs and chest. Each electrode, or lead, is connected to an EKG machine, which then measures the electrical activity of the heart from various angles.

Once a technician starts the machine, it starts to record electrical activity in the form of wave tracings. These measurements appear on the machine’s screen in real time, and are also printed out on paper for later analysis. If any immediate abnormalities are evident, they are marked up for future examination by a doctor.

The three waves used in accurate EKG machine readings are the P, QRS and T waves. P waves are low-amplitude waves that measure the impulses from the atria. QRS waves are high-amplitude and measure ventricular impulses, and T waves indicate renewal of the ventricle.

Even though electrodes are used to measure electrical activity in the heart, for patients an ECG machine test is painless. However, most doctors recommend that patients avoid drinking cold water right before the test, since it can cause changes in the heart’s T-wave.

In summary, an EKG machine is a helpful tool to help doctors assess their patients’ overall heart health and determine whether chest pains are caused by heart disease.