Electrocardiography (ECG) and Heart Rate

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Questions and Answers

During ventricular repolarization, which wave on an ECG/EKG would you expect to observe?

  • QRS Complex
  • T-Wave (correct)
  • Q-Wave
  • P-Wave

If the paper speed of an ECG is set at 25 mm/s and the distance between two R peaks is measured to be 20 mm, what is the approximate heart rate?

  • 80 beats/min
  • 90 beats/min
  • 75 beats/min (correct)
  • 60 beats/min

In the context of ECG limb lead placement, which color is typically associated with the right leg electrode, which serves as the earth lead?

  • Yellow
  • Black
  • Red (correct)
  • Green

According to Einthoven's triangle, which of the following statements accurately describes Lead I?

<p>RA (-) to LA (+) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of augmented vector (aV) leads in electrocardiography?

<p>They are magnified by 50% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

For standard 12-lead electrocardiography, where is the V4 precordial electrode placed?

<p>Midclavicular line, fifth intercostal space. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

To obtain a hexaxial (6-axis) view of the heart, which lead systems are combined?

<p>Unipolar and bipolar leads (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of acetylcholine (ACh) released by parasympathetic nerves on heart rate?

<p>Decreases heart rate (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is characteristic of heart rate variability (HRV)?

<p>Dynamic and responsive to physiological changes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does increased parasympathetic input typically indicate in terms of heart rate variability (HRV)?

<p>Increased HRV (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During exercise, what changes in sympathetic tone and HRV would you expect to observe?

<p>Increased sympathetic tone, decreased HRV (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which physiological state is most appropriate for measuring heart rate variability (HRV) to obtain reliable data?

<p>Resting standardized conditions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical direction of electrical current flow in the heart, starting from the sinoatrial (SA) node?

<p>SA node → Atria → AV node → Purkinje fibers → Ventricles (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the QRS complex represent on an electrocardiogram (ECG)?

<p>Ventricular depolarization (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

On an ECG, what does the PR interval represent?

<p>The beginning of atrial depolarization to the beginning of ventricular depolarization (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In bipolar limb leads, describe the direction of electrical potential measured in Lead III.

<p>From the left arm (LA) to the left leg (LL). (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If the sum of AVR + AVL + AVF does NOT equal 0, what does this indicate?

<p>Lead misplacement or technical error. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the V1 chest lead positioned?

<p>Right sternal border, fourth intercostal space (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary influence of epinephrine/norepinephrine on heart rate?

<p>Speeds heart rate up (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding heart rate variability (HRV)?

<p>Healthy hearts are dynamic and responsive to physiological changes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Electrocardiography (ECG)

Records the heart's electrical activity.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Measures the heart's beat-to-beat variations.

SA node

Initiates electrical impulses in the heart.

AV node

Conducts impulses from atria to ventricles.

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Purkinje fibers

Rapidly transmit impulses throughout the ventricles.

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P-Wave

Represents atrial depolarization.

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QRS Complex

Represents ventricular depolarization.

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T-Wave

Represents ventricular repolarization.

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PR Interval

Time from start of P wave to start of QRS complex.

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QRS Duration

Time for ventricular depolarization.

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Calculating Heart Rate

Calculated by the number of QRS complexes in a minute.

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Right Arm (RA)

Black colored ECG limb lead.

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Left Arm (LA)

Green colored ECG limb lead.

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Right Leg (RL)

Red colored ECG limb lead.

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Left Leg (LL)

Yellow colored ECG limb lead.

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Bipolar Limb Leads

Shows electrical potential differences between limbs

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Unipolar Limb Leads

Measures the heart's electrical activity from one location, enhanced.

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V1 Placement

Right sternal border, fourth intercostal space.

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Increased HRV effects

Measurement reflects exercise recovery and adaptation.

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R-R Interval

Time between successive heartbeats.

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Study Notes

  • Lab 2 focuses on electrocardiography (ECG) and heart rate variability (HRV).

Heart - Electrical Activity

  • Electrical current flows in a specific direction within the heart:
    • Starts at the SA node
    • Moves to the atria
    • Then to the AV node
    • Proceeds to the Purkinje fibers
    • Finally, reaches the ventricles

Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

  • Various segments represent specific events, including:
    • P-Wave signifies atrial depolarization
    • The QRS complex indicates atrial repolarization and ventricular depolarization
    • The T-Wave shows ventricular repolarization

ECG Trace

  • Enables time and voltage measurement
    • Vertical axis: 1 small square = 1 mm (0.1 mV); 1 large square = 5 mm (0.5 mV); 2 large squares = 10 mm (1.0 mV)
    • Horizontal axis: 1 small square = 0.04 s; 1 large square = 0.2 s; 5 large squares = 1.0 s

ECG - Calculating Heart Rate

  • To calculate heart rate:
  • Determine paper speed: 25 mm/s, where 25 mm of activity equals 1 second.
  • Measure the distance between R peaks.
  • Use the formula: (Paper speed / R-R distance) x 60 to get HR in beats per minute.

Limb Leads - Placement

  • Limb leads placement uses specific colors for each limb:
    • Right Arm: Black
    • Left Arm: Green
    • Right Leg: Red (Earth Lead)
    • Left Leg: Yellow

Limb Leads & Einthoven’s Triangle

  • Provides a spatial orientation for ECG measurement.

Bipolar Limb Leads

  • Lead I: RA (-) to LA (+)
  • Lead II: RA (-) to LL (+)
  • Lead III: LA (-) to LL (+)

Unipolar Limb Leads

  • Augmented (a) Vector (V) Leads
    • aVR (Right)
    • aVL (Left)
    • aVF (Front)
  • Low amplitude, so they are magnified by 50%.
  • The sum of voltages for P, QRS, and T equals 0 V.
  • The sum of AVR + AVL + AVF equals 0.

Limb Leads - Spacial Representation

  • Offers a spatial view of the leads

Precordial (Chest) Leads – Placement

  • Shows location of chest leads

Precordial (Chest) Leads – Placement

  • Specific placement and color codes:
    • V1: 4th intercostal space (right sternal border), Red
    • V2: 4th intercostal space (left sternal border), Yellow
    • V3: Midpoint between V2 & V4, Green
    • V4: 5th intercostal space (midclavicular line), Brown
    • V5: Horizontal to V4 (anterior axillary line), Black
    • V6: Horizontal to V4 (mid axillary line), Purple

Chest Leads - Spacial Representation

  • Diagrammatic representation of chest lead placement

Hexaxial Lead Diagram

  • A combined unipolar and bipolar lead system forms a hexaxial view of the heart.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

  • HRV is the time between R-R intervals
  • Can determine the health of your heart among other things

Control of Heart Rate

  • Several mechanisms control heart rate:
    • Autonomic input (afferent & effect nerves)
    • Hormones (Acetylcholine (Ach), epinephrine (Epr), norepinephrine (NEpr))
    • Feedback from chemoreceptors
    • Feedback from baroreceptors

Autonomic Control of Heart Rate

  • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS):
    • Parasympathetic nerves: Acetylcholine (Ach), slows heart down
    • Sympathetic nerves: Epinephrine/Norepinephrine, speeds heart up, and increases strength of contraction

What is HRV?

  • HRV refers to the variance in time between R-R intervals.
  • A healthy heart is dynamic and responsive to physiological changes, while an unhealthy heart is less responsive

What Does HRV Tell Us?

  • HRV indicates the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic influence on the heart
    • Increased parasympathetic input leads to increased HRV
    • Decreased parasympathetic input leads to decreased HRV

Heart Rate Variabilty

  • Increased HRV/Parasympathetic activation reflects recovery from exercise/training status/adaptation.
  • Relative HRV can be determined on condition
    • Rest = Increased Parasympathetic Tone/Decreased Sympathetic Tone/Increased HRV
    • Exercise = Decreased Parasympathetic Tone/Increased Sympathetic Tone/Decreased HRV
    • Recovery = Increased Parasympathetic Tone/Decreased Sympathetic Tone/Increased HRV

How Should We Measure HRV?

  • Resting standardized conditions, preferably upon awakening.
  • Avoid measuring during or post-exercise due to high dependency on exercise intensity.
  • Measuring during daily activities may not provide standardized results.

How CAN We Measure HRV?

  • HR sensor (Bluetooth) paired with a smartphone.
  • Photoplethysmography can also be used

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