Certified Cardiovascular Technician Practice Exam

An ECG can primarily detect what aspect of heart health?

1. Blood pressure levels

2. Heart muscle damage and cardiac rhythms

3. Patient's cholesterol levels

4. Blood oxygen saturation

The correct answer is: Heart muscle damage and cardiac rhythms

The primary function of an Electrocardiogram (ECG) is to assess the electrical activity of the heart, which encompasses evaluating cardiac rhythms and identifying any potential heart muscle damage. When an ECG is performed, it provides a graphic representation of the electrical impulses that trigger heartbeats. This allows clinicians to observe the timing and strength of these impulses, facilitating the detection of various arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and conditions such as myocardial infarction (heart attack), where damage to heart muscle can be inferred from specific ECG changes. For instance, the presence of ST-segment elevation or depression can indicate ischemia or injury to the heart muscle. In contrast, options related to blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and blood oxygen saturation pertain to other diagnostic tools and assessments. Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, cholesterol levels are analyzed through blood tests, and blood oxygen saturation is typically assessed with pulse oximetry. Thus, these aspects of cardiovascular health cannot be solely evaluated through an ECG, which validates the significance of the correct option concerning heart health monitoring and assessment.