The main purpose of the 12-lead ECG is to screen patients for possible cardiac ischemia.
These electrodes are connected to a machine that registers the heart’s electrical activity. These 12 views are collected by placing electrodes or small, sticky patches on the chest (precordial), wrists, and ankles. Think of it as 12 different points of view of an object woven together to create a cohesive story - the ECG interpretation. Today, the 12-Lead ECG remains a standard diagnostic tool among paramedics, EMTs, and hospital staff.Ī 12-lead ECG paints a complete picture of the heart’s electrical activity by recording information through 12 different perspectives. Since the first telecardiogram recorded in 1903, huge strides have been made in the recording and interpretation of ECG. When interpreted accurately, an ECG can detect and monitor a host of heart conditions - from arrhythmias to coronary heart disease to electrolyte imbalance. 12-Lead ECG Placement Guide with IllustrationsĪs a non-invasive yet most valuable diagnostic tool, the 12-lead ECG records the heart’s electrical activity as waveforms.
