ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY Meaning and
Definition
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Electrocardiography is a diagnostic procedure that involves the measurement and recording of the electrical activity of the heart using electrodes attached to the skin. It is commonly referred to as an ECG or EKG, which stands for electrocardiogram.
During electrocardiography, the electrodes detect and amplify the electrical impulses generated by the heart. These impulses represent the depolarization and repolarization of the heart's chambers, which are responsible for its pumping action. The electrodes are strategically placed on specific areas of the body to capture the signals produced by the heart.
The recorded electrical activity is displayed on a graph known as an electrocardiogram. This graph provides valuable information about the heart's function and rhythm. It can help identify various heart conditions such as arrhythmias, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and abnormalities in the heart's structure.
Electrocardiography plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. It is a non-invasive and relatively simple procedure that is routinely used in hospitals, clinics, and ambulances during emergencies. Electrocardiograms are often obtained during routine check-ups, prior to surgeries, or when evaluating symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, or shortness of breath.
The interpretation of an electrocardiogram requires the expertise of a healthcare professional, typically a cardiologist or trained technician. By analyzing the different components and patterns on the graph, they can determine an individual's heart rate, rhythm, and any potential abnormalities or disturbances in the electrical conduction system.
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A method of recording electrical currents set free in the heart muscle just previous to each heart beat; the machine employed is an electrocardiograph, and the result obtained an electrocardiogram.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY
Etymology of ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY
The word "electrocardiography" is derived from three Greek roots:
1. "Electro" comes from the Greek word "ēlektron", meaning amber. This word refers to the phenomenon of static electricity produced by rubbing amber, which was known to ancient Greek philosophers.
2. "Cardio" comes from the Greek word "kardia", meaning heart.
3. "Graphy" comes from the Greek word "graphē", meaning writing or record.
Therefore, "electrocardiography" combines these roots to form a word that literally means "writing or recording of the electricity of the heart". It is the medical practice of recording and analyzing the electrical activity of the heart using electrodes placed on the body.
Similar spelling words for ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY
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