As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can explain where ECG leads are placed on the body. An ECG, or electrocardiogram, is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. The standard ECG has 12 leads, which are typically placed as follows:
1. Lead I: Between the left arm (LA) and the right arm (RA).
2. Lead II: Between the right arm (RA) and the left leg (LL).
3. Lead III: Between the left arm (LA) and the left leg (LL).
4. Lead aVR: A unipolar lead with the positive electrode on the right arm (RA).
5. Lead aVL: A unipolar lead with the positive electrode on the left arm (LA).
6. Lead aVF: A unipolar lead with the positive electrode on the left leg (LL).
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Lead V1: On the chest, specifically at the fourth intercostal space to the right of the sternum.
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Lead V2: On the chest, at the fourth intercostal space to the left of the sternum.
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Lead V3: Between V2 and V4, typically at the midpoint of the line between these two leads.
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Lead V4: On the chest, at the fifth intercostal space on the midclavicular line (the line that runs from the center of the clavicle to the nipple).
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1. Lead V5: Laterally from V4, typically in the midaxillary line (the line that runs from the mid-point of the axilla, or armpit, to the mid-point of the clavicle).
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2. Lead V6: Laterally from V5, typically in the anterior axillary line (the line that runs from the anterior axillary fold to the mid-point of the clavicle).
Each lead provides a different view of the heart's electrical activity, allowing doctors to detect a variety of conditions, including heart attacks, arrhythmias, and other heart problems.
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