Electrical Axis of the Heart

The electrical axis of the heart is a direction in space that indicates the total vector of the electromotive force (EMF) of the heart at the moment when its value is maximum. This phenomenon was discovered at the end of the 19th century and has since been actively studied by cardiologists.

The electrical axis of the heart is an important parameter that allows you to evaluate the electrical activity of the heart and identify possible disturbances in the functioning of the organ. This can be useful in diagnosing heart diseases such as arrhythmias, heart blocks, heart attacks, etc.

To determine the electrical axis of the heart, electrocardiography (ECG) is used - a method for studying cardiac activity, based on recording the electrical potentials that arise during the work of the heart. An ECG allows you to evaluate the electrical activity of various parts of the heart and determine their electrical axis.

The direction of the heart's electrical axis can change depending on body position, physical activity, medications, and other factors. Therefore, in order to obtain accurate information about the condition of the heart, it is necessary to conduct an ECG in different body positions and under different conditions.

It is important to note that the electrical axis of the heart is not the only indicator of heart health. For a more accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account other ECG parameters, such as heart rate, amplitude of waves and intervals between them.

Overall, the electrical axis of the heart is an important parameter that helps doctors assess the heart's function and identify possible problems. However, to obtain accurate information about the condition of the organ, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination using various diagnostic methods.

The electrical axis of the heart is the direction in space of the total vector of the electromotive forces of the heart at that moment when its magnificence is equal to maximum. This concept was discovered through research conducted by Henry Celsius in 1898. The direction of the cardiac electrical axis is determined by the results of measurements of the electrical activity of the cardiac tissue. Electrocardiograms obtained as a result of the study make it possible to determine the directions of the cardiac electrical axis. The most common directions are anterior, apical, anterior/posterior, and horizontal cardiac electrical axes. The directional electrical axis of the heart indicates a person’s ability to adapt to unfavorable conditions and may be associated with the dynamics of coronary heart disease. A manual diagnosis of the electrical rhythm of the heart uses an electrocardiogram, a recording of the electrical activity of the heart using a sensor attached to the skin of the chest. This includes studying the number of heart rate cycles in 60 seconds (HR), intervals between individual cycles and other parameters. In addition, it may also include measurements of frequency and field strength of heart rhythms - impedance (along with assessment of the amplitude and shape of electrocardiograms). An electrocardiogram may be recorded during exercise or stress to determine how these factors affect the electrical activity of the heart.