Veronica Frattaroli Project 1

What is an electrocardiogram? Test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of the heart Device: Detects and amplifies the tiny electrical changes on the skin through electrodes connected to specific parts of the body Reduce the charge of the heart Rises and falls of voltage are recorded as a wavy line

History 1872 – Alexander Muirhead hooked up wires to a patient with a high fever to monitor their heartbeat 1903 – major breakthrough with Willem Einthoven created the galvanometer

Uses Early detection of heart disease Unexplained chest pain Detects the walls of the heart being too thick Medicine’s effectiveness Checks how well mechanical devices in the heart are working Checks heart health when having certain conditions or diseases

Risks No serious health risks No serious side effects Minimal side effect: skin irritation

Procedure Very noninvasive procedure Electrodes, that have conduction improving material in it, are stuck on clean arms, legs and chest The electrodes are also hooked to the machine that will record the heart’s activity While the test is going, patients are asked to lie very still and breathe normally

Procedure/Results

Future More powerful EKG machine Use advanced micro-processors and other computer technology Measure the electronic potential of a fetal heartbeat Better diagnostic data Remote patient care through phones Approve investigational drugs

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