🔹 What is an EKG Machine?
An EKG machine (also called an ECG machine) is a medical device that records the electrical activity of the heart over time. It produces a graph called an electrocardiogram, which helps doctors diagnose heart conditions.
🔹 Purpose
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To monitor heart rhythm and electrical activity
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To detect abnormalities like arrhythmias, heart attacks, or other cardiac diseases
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To evaluate heart health before surgery or during routine check-ups
🔹 How it works
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Electrodes (small sticky pads) are placed on the patient's chest, arms, and legs.
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These electrodes detect the electrical signals produced by the heart.
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The machine amplifies these signals and displays them as waves on a screen or paper.
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Each wave corresponds to different phases of the heart’s electrical cycle.
🔹 History
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The first practical electrocardiograph was developed by Willem Einthoven in 1903, who won a Nobel Prize for this work.
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Einthoven introduced the string galvanometer as the first EKG machine.
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Since then, technology has evolved to portable digital EKG machines and wearable heart monitors.
🔹 Types of EKG Machines
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Standard 12-lead EKG | Provides a comprehensive view of heart activity from 12 different angles. |
| Portable EKG | Small, battery-operated devices for quick checks outside hospitals. |
| Holter Monitor | Worn by patients for 24-48 hours to record continuous heart activity. |
| Event Monitor | Patient-activated device to record heart activity during symptoms. |
🔹 Where It’s Used
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Hospitals and clinics
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Emergency rooms
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Ambulatory care centers
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Sports medicine
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Home monitoring (portable devices)
🔹 Important Facts
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EKG is painless and non-invasive.
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It provides crucial data for diagnosing heart attacks, arrhythmias, and other heart problems.
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Results must be interpreted by trained healthcare professionals.
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Modern devices often include software for automated analysis.