Electrocardiograph

Electrocardiography is a method of graphic tracing of the electric current generated by the heart muscle during a heartbeat. The tracing is recorded with an electrocardiograph.

Electrocardiograph is a device to be attached to an organism’s chest in order to measure the physical movement of the heart in the chest. This device records the sounds of the heart as the blood moves through the various chambers, valves and vessels. The graph signature reflects the opening and closing of the valves, the contraction and strength of the heart muscle, and efficiency of the movement of blood. In other words, the graph signature is a reflection of heart activity. This graph signature is called an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG).

ECG is a recording of the heart’s electrical activity as a graph or series of wave lines on a moving strip of paper or video. Three of the waves, the P-wave, the QRS complex and the T-wave , are associated with the heart’s contractions. The P-wave reflects activity in the heart’s upper chambers. The QRS complex and T-wave reflect activity in the lower chambers.

The ECG gives the physician important information about the heart. For example, it can show the heart’s rate and rhythm. It can also imply decreased blood flow (cardiac ischemia), enlargement (hypertrophy) of the heart or the presence of either current or past heart attacks.

ECGs are noninvasive, quick, safe, painless and inexpensive tests that are routinely done if a heart condition is suspected. Depending on what the results show, in combination with the patient’s medical history and a physical exam, the physician may order further tests or a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.

Nowadays the electrocardiograph has been improved by today’s technological advances. It combines high functionality, easy operation and aesthetic design.

Exercise 30. Give English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:

викликати електричний струм, серцебиття, графічне відображення, прилад, грудна клітка, клапани, судини, скорочення м’язу, хвилеподібні лінії, збільшення, наявність серцевих нападів, лікар, передбачати, вдосконалювати, технологічний прогрес, легкість в управлінні…

Exercise 31. Match please the following words and translate phrases that you have composed:

graphic blood

electric chambers

various history

contraction of the operation

movement of test

heart current

upper functionality

blood tracing

noninvasive valves

medical flow

technological muscle

high advance

easy attacks

Exercise 32. Exclude the word which is different in meaning.

method design way

cause generate combine

wave chest heart

examine show test

alter change provide

reflect record call

current past previous

quick fast fluent

reduce enlarge increase

routinely seldom usually

information data date

work rest activity

Exercise 33. Decide whether the sentence is true or false:

1. The ECG doesn’t provide physicians with really important information.

2. Electrocardiograph is attached to a head.

3. The ECG is a reflection of brain activity.

4. Three waves are associated with the heart’s contractions.

5. The P-wave reflects activity in the hearts upper chambers.

6. The T-wave reflects activity in the lower chambers.

7. Nowadays electrocardiographs combine low functionality and aesthetic design.

8. ECG is a recording on a moving paper or video.

9. The heart muscle generates electric current during a heartbeat.

10. The ECG can show the heart’s rate and rhythm.

Exercise 34. Make words of these groups of letters:

Rateh, lemsuc, civeed, raepp, iittvyca, hamciesi, tyrhhm, catkat, gensid, tentiap.

Exercise 35. Continue the following sentences:

1. Electrocardiography is a method of graphic tracing …

2. The ECG gives a physician an important information …

3. Electrocardiograph is a device to be attached to …

4. ECG is a recording of the heart’s electrical activity as a graph or …

5. ECGs are noninvasive, quick, safe, painless and inexpensive tests …

6. The P-wave reflects activity in the …

7. The QRS complex and T-wave reflect …

Exercise 36. Answer the following questions:

1. What is electrocardiography as a method? What is it for?

2. How does electrocardiograph work?

3. What are the three wave lines?

4. What important information does the ECG give to the physician?

5. May a physician order further tests or lifestyle changes?

6. What does the graph signature reflect?

7. By what means has the electrocardiograph been improved nowadays?

8. Does the electrocardiograph record the sounds of the heart?

9. Does the P-wave reflect activity in the heart’s upper chambers or in the lower chambers?

Exercise 37. Read and discuss advantages of the following ECG devices.

Clever, small and lightweight MAC 500 from GE Marquette

The portable electrocardiograph MAC 500 from GE Marquette*, offers you the most in terms of features and technology and it weighs a mere 2 kg.

Whether it's in the hospital ward, during house calls or in an emergency case - no matter where it's needed - this robust, battery-operated instrument is rapidly put into operation.

It combines functionality and aesthetics in a practical solution characterised by its unique design, simple push-button operation, extremely simple configuration, automatic 12 channel ECG documentation and special arrhythmia recording.

Options offer you a wide range of individual application possibilities. For example: automatic ECG measurement using the leading GE Marquette measurement software programme to provide you with a fast and reliable diagnosis.

Using the optional infrared data interface, you can transfer ECGs to cardiology departments for consultation. This data can be stored in the CardioSoft data management system for later analysis. This allows access to existing or future information systems.

MAC 500 stands for today's technology and design, for the demands of tomorrow and for a truly outstanding price performance ratio.