electro-cardiograph

A doctor uses an electro-cardiograph to monitor a patient's heart.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Medical instrument: An "electro-cardiograph" is a device used to record the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time. It produces a visual representation (a graph) called an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to help diagnose heart conditions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor used an electro-cardiograph to monitor the patient's heartbeat during the stress test. (A machine that records heart electrical signals.)
  • Modern electro-cardiographs are portable and can transmit data wirelessly to a cardiologist. (A device for tracking heart rhythm remotely.)

Advanced Usage

• "electro-cardiograph reading": the output or data produced by the device.

  • The electro-cardiograph reading showed an irregular pattern, indicating a possible arrhythmia. (The recorded graph from the machine.)

• "to be attached to an electro-cardiograph": to have the electrodes of the device placed on the body.

  • The patient was attached to an electro-cardiograph for 24-hour monitoring. (Connected to the machine for continuous recording.)

Variants and Related Words

• Electrocardiogram (n): the graphical record produced by the electro-cardiograph.

  • The electrocardiogram revealed a normal sinus rhythm. (The printed or digital chart from the device.)

• Electrocardiography (n): the process or technique of recording the electrical activity of the heart.

  • Electrocardiography is a standard diagnostic procedure in cardiology. (The medical practice using the electro-cardiograph.)

Synonyms

• Heart monitor: a general term for a device that tracks heart function.
• ECG machine: a common abbreviation for electro-cardiograph.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms