The electrocardiogram, or ECG, is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. An ECG simulator can diagnose various conditions, such as heart failure and arrhythmias.
Understanding Cardiac Rhythms
Cardiac rhythms are abnormal patterns of electrical activity in the heart that can disrupt the flow of blood through the heart and to other parts of the body.
The most common cardiac arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation: an irregular and often fast heartbeat that can lead to dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and can be life-threatening. Sudden death traced to cardiac arrhythmia is the most common cause of preventable death in the United States. Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia.
How To Read An ECG
A high-quality ECG simulator shows the heart’s depolarization and repolarization, which is used to evaluate cardiac function. The waves on an ECG are classified into five categories: P-waves, QRS complexes, T-waves, U-waves, and normal sinus rhythm (NSR) waves.
The P-wave corresponds to atrial depolarization while the QRS complex corresponds to ventricular depolarization in most cases. T-wave represents ventricular repolarisation while U-wave indicates atrial repolarisation. NSR waves are present when vagal stimulation is transmitted through the internal carotid artery to the carotid sinus resulting in physiological bradycardia.
The ECG readings represent electric impulses that are generated by the sinoatrial node (SA node) of a person’s heart. The ECG waveform is shown on a paper tracing by placing leads on different parts of the person’s body. The tracing is then photographed or visualized with a computer.
