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Essay / The Use and Types of Electrocardiograms - 893
Patient assessment tool is the equipment used to treat patients outside or inside the hospital or in any center medical. An electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor is a simple diagnostic test to know the heart rhythm by placing electrodes on our body. The ECG monitor also provides all the problems related to heart and heart functioning. An ECG monitor is a simple, non-painless, non-invasive test that can be performed in virtually any clinic, doctor's office, or medical facility. From the ECG monitor it is possible to determine whether our rhythm is normal or abnormal. Abnormal rhythm includes slow rhythms (Brady heart), fast rhythms (tachycardia), and heart block. Additionally, the ECG monitor can show the effects of electrolytes (normal or abnormal blood chemistry) and medications on the heart. (Cohen 2010) A doctor may recommend an ECG monitor to patients because of their symptoms or who may be at risk for heart disease. because there might be a family history of heart disease or if they smoke, are overweight, have diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. (Better Health 2013). Some health problems that the ECG monitor used to diagnose are shape of the heart, functioning of the heart, blood supply to the heart, positioning of the heart, cardiac arrest, balance of electrolytes in the heart, Checking blood arteries, irregular and abnormal heartbeats. . (Royal Melbourne Hospital - Department of Cardiology) ECG is performed by attaching 12 ECG electrodes to patients. It will print a copy of the rhythm strip. Once completed, a paramedic or EKG technician normally performs this simple, painless investigation by placing electrodes in the patient's chest, wrist and ankles. This records the electrical activity of ...... middle of paper ...... one thousandth of patients who have been diagnosed with a heart problem, to help evaluate an artificial pacemaker or to monitor the administration of certain medications to the heart. (Royal Melbourne Hospital - Department of Cardiology page 3). The 3 main types of ECG are: -. 1) Resting ECG:- Patients lie down and no movement is allowed during this time, here the impulse generated by our muscles may interfere with the impulse generated by our heart. This method may take five to ten minutes. 2) Ambulatory ECG:- This ECG is recorded by a portable recording device which is worn for at least 24 hours. Patients can move freely when the monitor is installed on their body. The patient who is recovering from heart disease will undergo this type of ECG. 3) Cardiac Arrest Test:- This type of ECG is performed for a patient riding an exercise bike or walking on a commercial grinder, which takes 15 to 20 minutes..