User guide

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Glossary
Please note that these terms are provided because they may appear in
reports.
abnormal morphology
Electrical emissions of the heart have been recognised as abnormal and are
unsuitable for analysis. This may be due to the position or "tilt" of the heart
and can be quite normal in some people.
arrest
A significant delay (greater than 3 seconds) in between heartbeats.
arrhythmia
Any variation from the normal rhythm of the heart.
artefact
Insufficient available ECG data to analyse. Possibly due to inadequate skin
preparation, poor contact of electrodes and/or inaccurate positioning of
electrodes on the chest.
asystole
Absence of heart beats, e.g. pause, arrest.
atria
The two upper chambers of the heart
atrial ectopic (AE)
A premature heartbeat impulse originating from within the atria, but outside
the sinoatrial node. Atrial Ectopics are common in healthy people.
atrial fibrillation (AF)
Atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter
atrial fibrillation (controlled)
Atrial fibrillation is controlled when the heart rate response lies within normal
limits (i.e. 50 to 120 beats per minute);