We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Procedures

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are EKG Calipers?

By M. Haskins
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 15,092
Share

A caliper is a measurement tool used to measure thickness, distance and diameter. EKG calipers are most commonly of a type called divider calipers, consisting of two pivoting, adjustable legs with a point or tip at the end of each leg. They are used in medicine, mainly in cardiology, and are specifically calibrated to measure the distance, or interval, between the lines on a graph called an electrocardiogram (abbreviated as ECG or EKG). Many EKG calipers include a separate ruler to measure the distance between the tips of the caliper after they have been positioned on the lines, or waves, of the EKG graph. The ruler then gives a measurement that often translates distance into seconds, for example 25 mm can equal 1 second, allowing the user to examine the EKG and make a diagnosis.

Electrocardiography is a way of examining heart activity, and is used to diagnose various kinds of heart problems, such as myocardial infarction. This diagnostic procedure is considered especially effective when diagnosing heart problems related to abnormal heart rhythm. To do the exam, skin electrodes are fastened to the legs, arms and chest. These electrodes are connected to an ECG device which is then able to provide a detailed, noninvasive recording of the electrical impulses of the heart as a series of waves. The graph produced is then examined and interpreted by a specialist, and EKG calipers are commonly used to help interpret the readings.

EKG calipers are often made from steel or other metal, and a common size is approximately 4-5 inches (10-15 cm) long, though they come in different sizes. The tips of the EKG calipers are very fine and sharp in order to be securely and accurately positioned on the EKG graph paper. These tips are often covered with a removable, protective cap. Some EKG calipers are vernier calipers, meaning they have tips that slide along the tool rather than pivoting legs for measuring. Vernier calipers usually have a built-in ruler or scale on the instrument itself.

There are computer versions of EKG calipers available as software programs. This type of software allows for the measuring and interpreting of EKG results directly on a computer screen in cases where the EKG is available as a computer file rather than printed on graph paper. The interface for this type of EKG calipers is commonly designed to look like the hand-held measurement tool, and is manipulated with the computer mouse on the screen.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-are-ekg-calipers.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.