Oxygen — ECG/EKG Terminology

Definition: Gas that enters the blood through the lungs and travels to the heart to be pumped via arteries to all body cells.

Key Facts

• Essential substrate for aerobic myocardial metabolism.
• Coronary oxygen supply-demand mismatch drives ischemia.
• Hypoxemia can trigger or worsen arrhythmias.

ECG Connection: Ischemia from inadequate oxygen delivery may produce ST depression, T-wave inversion, or ST elevation.

Why It Matters: Telemetry changes during hypoxemia require rapid clinical reassessment.