Sydänkäyrälaite

Sydänkäyrälaite, known in English as an electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG), is a medical device used to record the electrical activity of the heart. This activity is generated by the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle, controlled by electrical impulses. The device translates these electrical signals into a visual tracing, often displayed on a screen or printed on paper.

The process involves attaching electrodes to the skin of the chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes detect the subtle electrical changes that occur as the heart beats. The sydänkäyrälaite amplifies these signals and records them over a specific period. The resulting tracing, the electrocardiogram, provides valuable information about the heart's rate, rhythm, and overall electrical health.

Doctors use sydänkäyrälaitteet to diagnose a wide range of cardiac conditions. These can include arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), myocardial infarction (heart attack), ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart muscle), and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart muscle). It is a non-invasive and relatively quick diagnostic tool, making it a common component of routine physical examinations and emergency cardiac assessments. The interpretation of the sydänkäyrä requires specialized medical training, as subtle variations in the waveform can indicate significant underlying issues.