PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
PSC Miscellaneous Prelims 2018
Answer
It measures the heart beat.
Explanation
An Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a simple, non-invasive medical test that records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time. With each heart beat, an electrical impulse travels through the heart. An ECG machine translates these electrical impulses into a graph (showing P, Q, R, S, and T waves). Doctors use it to measure the heart rate, check for abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and diagnose heart attacks.
Key Points
- > ECG stands for Electrocardiogram (sometimes written as EKG from the German word).
- > It primarily measures the rate and rhythm of the heart beat.
- > Willem Einthoven invented the first practical ECG machine.
- > A normal ECG tracing includes a P wave, a QRS complex, and a T wave.
- > EEG (Electroencephalogram) is used to measure the electrical activity of the brain.
- > A stethoscope is used to acoustically listen to the heartbeats.
- > The normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (avg 72).
Additional Information
Important Medical Tests and Associated Organs
| Test Name | Abbreviation | Associated Organ |
|---|---|---|
| Electrocardiogram | ECG | Heart |
| Electroencephalogram | EEG | Brain |
| Electromyogram | EMG | Skeletal Muscles |
| Mammogram | - | Breasts (tissue check) |
Memory Tips
- Cardio Connection: The root word 'Cardio' always refers to the heart (e.g., Cardiology, Cardiovascular). Thus, an Electrocardiogram measures heart activity.