The onset of cardiac pathology can be predicted by first acquiring a plurality
of lead values as a function of time for set of electrocardiogram leads and defining
a spatial curve from the lead values for at least three leads. A fractal index
for the spatial curve is calculated as a function of time and the time rate of
change of the fractal index is monitored. A negative time rate of change is indicative
of normal cardiac activity, while a positive time rate of change is indicative
of pathological cardiac activity.
