Ecg Lab Report

An electrocardiogram records the electrical activity on the surface of the heart. One method of acquiring an electrocardiogram is by the usage of a handheld single channel ECG machine. Figure 1 displays the results of my single electrocardiogram result. From this figure, one can calculate the heart rate by dividing the number of intervals over the time and multiplying by 60 in order to get the heart rate in beats per minute (BPM). Based on the electrocardiogram, there were 7 intervals in a time span of 6 seconds. When multiplied by 60, one obtains 70 BPM as the heart rate. The hypothesis proposed was that the heart rate would increase when the individual was indirectly affected by cold temperature and which would decrease the pulse delay time. Based on the results obtained from the experiment, the hypothesis was supported. The increase in heart rate by indirect contact of cold temperature increased the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is the part of the autonomic nervous system which is responsible in increasing the heart rate.

When the pulse pressure decreases, the stroke volume decreases and the compliance remains the same. The sympathetic nervous system constricts the blood pressure and increases the diastolic pressure. During the cold pressure test, the diastolic and systolic pressure increase which can cause the stroke volume to increase a little but not as standing up. This also deals with the sympathetic nervous system which increases the heart rate. The coldness from the ice bath goes to the heart which causes a decrease in the heart