What Does an EKG Measure?
An EKG Measures the electrical impulses that coordinate the heart's beating pattern. Specifically, it tracks the timing and duration of each electrical phase of the heartbeat, including how the atria (upper heart chambers) and ventricles (lower heart chambers) contract and relax. The EKG produces a waveform that shows several key components, including the P-wave, which represents the contraction of the atria; the QRS complex, which shows the contraction of the ventricles; and the T-wave, which reflects the relaxation of the ventricles. These waveforms are critical for evaluating heart rhythm and identifying abnormalities.
In addition to the electrical activity, an EKG can provide information on the heart rate (how fast the heart is beating), the rhythm (whether the heart beats in a regular pattern), and the size and position of the heart chambers. It can also help detect signs of a previous heart attack or changes in the heart's electrical pathways. Any deviation from the normal EKG pattern can provide valuable clues about the presence of heart disease, arrhythmias, or structural heart abnormalities.
