Final answer:
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a cardiac diagnostic tool that measures the electrical activity of the heart, with a 12-lead ECG providing substantial information about heart function and damages. Comparative analysis with prior ECGs is important due to individual variances in heart morphology. Advances in ECG technology have allowed for its integration into portable and wearable devices.
Step-by-step explanation:
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is an essential tool in cardiac diagnostics, measuring the electrical activity of the heart through skin-placed electrodes, offering insights into heart muscle function. The 12-lead ECG is particularly informative, revealing conditions such as infarction by identifying characteristic patterns in the electrical waves across various vectors.
The Lead II potential, commonly graphed, is instrumental in correlating electrical impulses with arterial blood pressure. Due to the differing heart shape, size, and orientation in individuals, ECG interpretations can vary, making comparative analysis with prior ECGs crucial for detecting subtle changes. With advancements, ECG technology has become increasingly portable, facilitating its integration into wearable devices for real-time monitoring.