1. What is ECG data ?
Heart attack usually occurs due to loss of blood supply to the heart muscle. This
happens when any one or more coronary arteries of person becomes blocked due to
various reasons. The blockage of arteries can be due to fatty deposites, plaques,
viruses etc.
It is essential to get the ECG test done when person feels chest pain, dizziness, rapid
pulse, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue etc. It is better to have ECG
(Electrocardiogram) test at regular intervals to detect any abnormalities in the heart.
ECG is a medical test performed using ECG sensor and machine called
electrocardiograph. ECG sensor consists of electrodes which are placed on the chest
of the person to record electrical signals.
The normal ECG curve is shown in the figure which can be seen on the monitor or
can be printed on paper using printer. ECG curve consists of five states viz. P, Q, R,
S and T which corresponds to different phases of heart activities. Any abnormalities
in the heart beat causes change in ECG curve patterns. The changes in the ECG curve
are analyzed by cardiologist to determine rootcause in order to diagnose the heart
patients. ECG helps doctor determine or detect abnormal heart rhythm, blocked or
narrowed arteries etc.
2. The sensor along with machine which collects the ECG data from person is known
as ECG sensor or ECG machine. The example of ECG sensor is AD8232 IC module.
It consists of three electrodes which are attached to right arm (RA), left arm (LA)
and right leg (RL). It generates output analog signal which represent heart beat. The
output can be read by any microcontroller board or Arduino Uno board or can be
displayed on oscilloscope. As shown AD8232 is powered using 3.3V LDO Voltage
Regulator. It can also be powered using Arduino Uno board. The 12 lead ECG
consisting of 10 electrodes give complete picture of the heart. This 12-lead ECG
records heart activities using different angles in two planes i.e. horizontal and
vertical electrical plane.
Benefits or advantages of ECG
Following are the benefits or advantages of ECG data collected by ECG sensor.
➨ECG is helpful to measure three basic parameters of clinical interest viz. rhythm
and heart rate, axis of the heart and state of myocardial muscle.
➨ECG represents data in the topographic form which provides higher diagnostical
information.
➨ECG helps to prevent heart attacks by analyzing heart parametets at the initial
stage.
➨ECG is used to detect the cardiac conditions of the patients after surgical or any
other operation and after application of anesthesia.
➨ECG test is quick, painless and safe.
➨ECG test is cheap in cost.
3. Drawbacks or disadvantages of ECG test
Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of ECG test:
➨It does not provide underlying heart problems for patients not having any
symptoms.
➨It does not always provide help in accurate diagnosis. More tests are needed to
trace serious heart problems undetected by normal ECG curve.
****Advantage and disadvantage of X ray
