What does the T wave on an EKG represent?

The T wave on an EKG represents ventricular repolarization and relaxation, which is a crucial phase in the cardiac cycle. After the ventricles contract and eject blood into the arteries, they need to recover and prepare for the next heartbeat. This recovery is characterized by repolarization, which is the process of the cardiac muscle cells returning to their resting state after being depolarized (contracting).

The T wave appears after the QRS complex, which represents ventricular depolarization (the contraction phase), indicating that the ventricles are now in a state of relaxation and returning to their baseline electrical activity. The T wave's shape and duration can provide important information about the heart's health and electrical function. Abnormalities in the T wave could suggest issues with the heart, such as ischemia or electrolyte imbalances.

Understanding the role of the T wave is essential for interpreting EKG results and recognizing potential cardiac conditions. The other options either describe events that occur at different times in the cardiac cycle or relate to processes that are not represented by the T wave, which reinforces the significance of recognizing what the T wave specifically indicates.