12 Lead EKG
12 lead EKG (electrocardiogram) is a method for recording and translating the heart’s electrical activity. The EKG leads are placed on the outer surface of the skin across the chest area and the extremities and record the EKG tracings, which are then output on paper in graph form.
The 12 lead EKG is a noninvasive procedure and is used in the diagnosis of a wide variety of heart conditions ranging from minor to life threatening. Each of the twelve leads represents a specific part of the body’s electrical activity and records the electrical activity of the heart from twelve different perspectives. Having twelve points of view, as opposed to three or five, provides a more complete picture of what is going on with the heart.
A 12 lead EKG is considered to be a safe, routine diagnostic procedure and does not cause any harmful side effects. The 12 lead EKG is often part of a patient’s regular physical exam or it can be used as a screening test in patients with a high risk of heart problems such as high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, or those who have a family history of heart problems. It is also used for people who smoke because they are also at a high risk for heart problems. It is not unusual for a 12 lead EKG to reveal that a patient has coronary artery disease long before his or her symptoms appear. When used during surgery, a 12 lead EKG can help monitor a patient’s heart functions.
It should be noted that there are 3 lead, 5 lead, and 12 lead EKG models of electrocardiograms. A 3 lead EKG monitors two different areas of the heart and are typically used on transport monitors. A 5 lead EKG monitors three different areas of the heart and are commonly used in Intensive Care Units in hospitals. A 12 lead EKG looks at the anterior, lateral, and inferior areas of the heart and provides a more detailed picture of the heart. The 12 lead EKG models are used for taking a snapshot of the heart, as opposed to monitoring the heart.
The flow of electricity is normal if it flows from positive to negative. However, a normal healthy heart’s electrical current should flow from negative to positive. If the heart’s flow is disrupted by an infarct, the 12 lead EKG recording will show the abnormality.
Sometimes, patients are given a copy of their most recent EKG, which could be important to any future doctor, nurse or paramedic who cares for the patient. In this case, it is very important to verify that the 12 lead EKG was recorded the standard way, with the patient supine, arms at their side, and with all electrodes in their proper position.
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