Electrocardiogram (abbreviated EKG or ECG) is a device used to map the cardiac voltage differences in a human body. The mapping is done by a series of electrodes placed at different spots on the patient’s body.

Normally you would take a standard 12-point lead. You would place 3 electrodes on the chest at: right shoulder, left shoulder and under the left curvature. This method is used in monitoring the rhythm of disturbances in the heart, for example during surgery.

A 12-point lead uses 10 electrodes placed at various spots on the human body: one on each wrist and instep, 6 electrodes over the chest in a certain pattern. The 12-point ECG is used to support and prove a doctor’s or paramedic’s diagnoses, for example it’s used to diagnose arrhythmias or chest pains.

The ECG is used in the health care services to obtain information about the patient’s heart rhythm, which can help diagnose possible links between symptoms and the cardiac function in the patient. Paramedics are trained to use such as device during their paramedic training