Electrocardiogram (ECG)
ECG
BACKGROUND
An ECG is a simple non-invasive test in which electrodes are placed on the chest, arms and legs to record the electrical activity of the heart. It takes less than 15 minutes and no preparation is required. It gives us valuable information about your heart rhythm.
An ECG is a simple non-invasive test. 12 ECG dots are placed on the chest. The ECG machine records 10 seconds of your heart's electrical activity. It only takes 5 minutes but gives us valuable information.
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The heart's normal contraction can be seen on the ECG. This ECG shows normal sinus rhythm and is made up of a series of waves called the P, QRS and T wave.
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Atrial activation is represented by the ‘P-Wave’ on the ECG.
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Ventricular activation is represented by the ‘QRS’ complex on the ECG. This normally takes less than 120 milliseconds.
When the Ventricles are activated, blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs and through the aorta to the rest of the body.
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When the Ventricles are activated, blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs and through the aorta to the rest of the body.
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The final wave is called the T wave. During this phase the Ventricles relax. This normally takes less than 450 milliseconds.
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