What does a Q wave signify in an EKG?

A Q wave on an electrocardiogram (EKG) primarily signifies initial ventricular depolarization. In a normal EKG, the Q wave is part of the QRS complex, which represents the electrical activity that leads to the contraction of the ventricles. The presence of a Q wave indicates that the electrical impulse has moved through the ventricles and is responsible for initiating the contraction of the heart's pumping chambers.

While there are other components of the EKG that signify different aspects of heart activity, such as atrial depolarization represented by the P wave and ventricular repolarization indicated by the T wave, the Q wave is specifically involved in the early phase of ventricular contraction. It is crucial to understand the role of each wave in the EKG to accurately interpret the heart's electrical activity and health.