The aVR lead goes to what part of the body?

The aVR lead is positioned to measure the electrical activity of the heart from the perspective of the right arm. In a standard 12-lead ECG, aVR stands for "augmented Vector Right" and it reflects the voltage differences between the right arm electrode and a combination of the left arm and left leg electrodes. This positioning is crucial because it provides insight into the electrical impulses that are moving towards the right arm, allowing for the assessment of right-sided cardiac activity and potential abnormalities.

In interpreting the aVR lead, it is important to remember that changes observed there can be indicative of certain conditions, such as right ventricular hypertrophy or changes in left ventricular function. The positioning of the electrodes is standardized in order to achieve consistent, reliable readings that can be interpreted in the context of cardiac health.