Unlike a 3-lead cardiac monitor, which uses three electrodes placed on the patient's chest, a 5-lead cardiac monitor uses five electrodes. The additional two electrodes are placed on the patient's chest, typically on the left and right sides of the chest.

 

By using five electrodes instead of three, a 5-lead cardiac monitor can provide a more comprehensive view of the patient's heart activity. It is capable of detecting more complex arrhythmias and abnormalities in the heart's electrical activity.