ECG
Definition
Ecg is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart over a
period of time using electrodes placing on the skin.
It helps in detecting abnormalities in the heart rhythm and structure
Principle
Ecg is a composite record of action potential produced by all of the
heart muscles during each heart beat .
The instrument used to record the changes in an electrocardiograph
They electrocardiograph amplifies the hearts electrical signal
producing 12 different tracings from different combination of limbs and
chest leads .
Waves
P wave
Marks the onset of atrial depolarisation
It lasts for about 0.08 second
QRS Wave
It represents ventricular depolarisation
It last for about 0.06-0.10
T-wave
Marks the onset of ventricular repolarisation
PR –interval
Time between atrial and ventricular depolarisation
Atrioventricular nodal conduction time
It last for about 0.12-0.20
ST segment
Represents ventricular repolarisation
It is isoelectric
Used in detection of early myocardial infarction or ischemia
Clinical uses
Detecting arrythmias (irregular heartbeat)
Identifying myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Evaluating cardiac hypertrophy (enlarged cardiac muscle)
Monitoring effects of drugs or electrolytes
Assessing pacemaker function
Types of ECG
[Link] ecg
[Link] ecg
[Link] monitoring ecg
HEART RATE
Heart Rate (HR) is the number of times the heart beats per minute (bpm).
Normal heart rate
Adults (at rest): 60–100 bpm
Athletes: 40–60 bpm (can be normal due to strong cardiac efficiency)
Children: Higher than adults
Newborns: ~120–160 bpm
Types based on Rate
Normal (): 60–100 bpm
Tachycardia: >100 bpm
Bradycardia: <60 bpm
Factors Affecting Heart Rate
Age
Physical activity/exercise
Emotions (stress, anxiety)
Body temperature (fever ↑ HR)
Drugs (e.g., beta-blockers ↓ HR)
Diseases (anemia, thyroid disorders, heart disease)
How Heart Rate is Measured
Pulse (radial, carotid artery)
Stethoscope (apical pulse)
ECG
Wearable devices
Clinical Significance
Reflects cardiac function and fitness
Helps in diagnosing arrhythmias, shock, fever, heart disease
TACHYCARDIA
Tachycardia is a condition in which heart rate is more than
100 beats/min at rest in adults.
Mechanism
→ Increase. firing of [Link]
→ re-entry of electrical impulses
→ Increased automaticity of cardiac cells.
Causes:
Age, Exercise, stress
Anemia fever anemic shock
Heart disease, drugs
Symptoms:
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Palpitations
Treatment
Β – blockers
Calcium channel blockers
Antiarrhythmic
Types:
1. Sinus Tachycardia.
Origin: S A Node
ECG: Normal P wave before each QRS
Increase heart rate origination
1) Sinus Tachycardia
Increase heart rate originating from the Sino Atrialnode with
normal rhythm
But faster rate
2) Supraventricular Tachycardia.
Rapid heart rate arising from above the ventricles
Usually with narrow QRS complex.
3) atrial tachycardia.
Tachycardia originating from ectopic focus in atria, producing abnormal
wave
4 Ventricular Tachycardia
A rapid rhythm of originating from ventricles characterised
By wide QRS complex and is life threatening
Bradycardia
Types:
1. Sinus bradycardia
2. Atrioventricular (AV) block
3. Junctional bradycardia
4. Ventricular bradycardia
Causes:
Athletes, sleep
Hypothyroidism, hypothermia
Ischemia, heart block
Symptoms:
Fatigue
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Treatment:
Atropine
Pacemaker
Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are abnormalities of heart rhythm caused by disturbance in impulse formation,
conduction, or both.
This arises due to abnormal electrical activity in the heart.
Causes:
Myocardial infarction (MI)
Electrolyte imbalance
Hypoxia
Congenital heart disease
Stress, caffeine, smoking
Symptoms:
Palpitations
Syncope
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Treatment:
Pacemaker
Defibrillation
Anti-arrhythmic drugs
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia,
characterised by rapid, chaotic atrial electrical activity,
leading to an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm.
Ventricular Fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia
with disorganised ventricular electrical activity,
causing no effective cardiac output
Conduction Block
A conduction block is a condition characterised by delayed or completely
blocked electrical impulses.
Types of Conduction Block:
1. Sinoatrial (SA) block
2. Atrioventricular (AV) block
3. Bundle branch block