The electrophysiological basis of the EKG depends on the spread of electrical stimuli through the atria and ventricles.  During rest, myocardial fibers are polarized, i.e., a difference in potential exists between the inside and outside of the cell (known as membrane potential, -90 mV). This is due to the selective ionic permeability of the cell membrane, resulting in the creation of a stable positive electric charge on the outer surface.  Inside the cell, potassium ions predominate, outside it sodium ions.  When a myocardial fiber is stimulated, an immediate change in the membrane permeability, and consequent sodium ions transfer into cells give rise to action potential.  The result is an abrupt conversion of the negative membrane potential into a positive one (+30 mV), which is called depolarization.  During the subsequent repolarization of the myocardial fibers, potassium ions pass out of the cell and the action potential is annihilated.  The EKG records the electrical activity of the atrial and ventricular muscles, not just the electrical activity of a single myofibril.  Since cardiac depolarization and repolarization normally occur in a synchronized fashion, the EKG is able to record these electric currents as specific waves: P wave due to atrial depolarization; QRS complex due to ventricular depolarization; and ST segment, T wave and U wave due to ventricular repolarization or recovery.  Alcohol Causes: Atrial fibrillation, Prolonged Q-T interval, Inverted T waves, Heart block, Ventricular arrhythmias, Holiday heart syndrome, and Sudden death.
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