What do leads in an ECG represent?

Leads in an ECG represent recordings of heart activity from different perspectives. This means that each lead is positioned at a specific location on the body and captures the electrical signals generated by the heart as it contracts and relaxes. By analyzing these signals from various angles, healthcare professionals can obtain a comprehensive view of the heart's rhythm, rate, and overall function.

The different leads reflect electrical activity from distinct regions of the heart, allowing for the identification of abnormalities such as arrhythmias, ischemia, or infarctions. Essentially, the multiple leads together create a 12-lead ECG, which provides a thorough assessment of cardiac health by showing the direction and magnitude of electrical impulses throughout the heart.

The other options do not accurately describe what leads represent in an ECG. Blood pressure readings, breathing patterns, and temperature variations pertain to different aspects of patient health and monitoring, but they do not encompass the specific electrical activity of the heart that is measured by ECG leads.