Physiology Tests

• What is a blood pressure monitor used for?

  To measure the pressure of blood in your arteries as the heart pumps it around your body.
• How does a blood pressure monitor work?

  It inflates a cuff to stop blood flow, then measures the pressure as the cuff deflates.
• What are the steps involved in measuring blood pressure with a monitor?

  1. Cuff Inflation: Wrap cuff around upper arm and inflate.
  2. Pressure Measurement: Detect blood flow sounds as cuff deflates.
  3. Display of Results: Show systolic and diastolic pressure on screen.
  4. Understanding the Results: Interpret the readings for heart health.
• What do the numbers in a blood pressure reading represent?

  The top number is systolic pressure, and the bottom number is diastolic pressure.
• What does a reading of 120/80 mmHg indicate?

  It indicates normal blood pressure levels.
• What does high blood pressure (hypertension) indicate about heart health?

  It means the heart is working too hard, which can lead to health problems.
• What are some potential health risks associated with hypertension?

  Heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, and dementia.
• What can low blood pressure (hypotension) lead to?

  Insufficient blood supply to tissues, making the patient feel weak and faint.
• What is a sphygmomanometer used for?

  To measure blood pressure.
• What is the procedure for measuring blood pressure?


  Position the patient comfortably, wrap the cuff around the upper arm, inflate it, and record the reading.
• What is systolic pressure?


  The pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts.
• What is diastolic pressure?

  The pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.
• What does an electrocardiogram (ECG) measure?

  The electrical activity of the heart.
• How does an ECG work?

  It measures electrical impulses that make the heart muscles contract and turns them into a graph.
• What can an ECG help diagnose?

  Irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, and other heart conditions.
• What is the purpose of electrodes in an ECG?

  To attach to the patient's body and record the heart's electrical activity.
• What happens during the recording phase of an ECG?


  The machine records the heart's electrical activity while the patient stays still.
• Why is an ECG important?

  It quickly shows if something is wrong with the heart and helps in diagnosing conditions.
• What do the P, QRS, and T waves represent in an ECG?

  • P: Atrial systole (contraction)
  • QRS: Ventricular systole (contraction)
  • T: Ventricular diastole (relaxation)
• What does the PR interval in an ECG indicate?

  The time taken for an electrical impulse to travel from the atria to the ventricles.
• What does the QT interval in an ECG represent?

  The contraction time of the ventricles.
• What does the interval between T and Q in an ECG indicate?

  The filling time for the heart as blood fills the atria and ventricles.
• What is bradycardia?


  A low heart rate where the heart beats much more slowly than usual.
• What is tachycardia?


  A high heart rate where the heart beats much faster than usual.
• What is an Exercise Tolerance Test (ETT)?

  • An ECG recorded while exercising.
  • Assesses heart function during physical activity.
  • Shows if there is a lack of blood supply to the heart.
• What is an echocardiogram (echo)?

  • A graphic outline of the heart's movement.
  • Uses ultrasound to provide pictures of the heart's valves and chambers.
  • Evaluates the pumping action of the heart.
• What does an echocardiogram help evaluate?

  The pumping action of the heart and the condition of its valves and chambers.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time.
• Electromyography (EMG) is a test that assesses the health of muscles and the nerves controlling the muscles.
• Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) is a group of tests that measure how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they move gases such as oxygen from the atmosphere into the body's circulation.
• The test is used to assess the function of the respiratory system, including lung volumes, gas exchange, and ventilation.
• The test is used to evaluate the function of the adrenal glands, specifically the production of cortisol.
• It can also be used to diagnose conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• ACTH then stimulates the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands.
• Pulmonary Function Testing involves measuring various parameters related to breathing, such as forced expiration volume (FEV), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak flow rate.
• Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulates the release of ACTH from the anterior pituitary gland.
• Holter monitor is a portable device used to record the patient’s ECG continuously for up to 48 hours
• Holter monitor is a portable device used to record your heart’s activity as you go about your daily routine.
• Implantable loop recorder is a tiny device implanted under the skin near the chest wall which can detect abnormal rhythms and transmit them via telephone line to a computer for analysis
• Event recorder is a small, wearable device that can detect abnormal heart rhythms when they occur.