Ecg meaning

What is an electrocardiogram? An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the simplest and fastest tests used to evaluate the heart. Electrodes (small, plastic patches that stick to the skin) are placed at certain spots on the chest, arms, and legs. The electrodes are connected to an ECG machine by lead wires. The electrical activity of the heart is then measured, interpreted, and printed out. No electricity is sent into the body. Natural electrical impulses coordinate contractions of the different parts of the heart to keep blood flowing the way it should. An ECG records these impulses to show how fast the heart is beating, the rhythm of the heart beats (steady or irregular), and the strength and timing of the electrical impulses as they move through the different parts of the heart. Changes in an ECG can be a sign of many heart-related conditions. Why might I need an electrocardiogram? Some reasons for your doctor to request an electrocardiogram (ECG) include: • To look for the cause of chest pain • To evaluate problems which may be heart-related, such as severe tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting • To identify irregular heartbeats • To help determine the overall health of the heart before procedures such as surgery; or after treatment for conditions such as a heart attack (myocardial infarction, or MI), endocarditis (inflammation or infection of one or more of the heart valves); or after heart surgery or cardiac catheterization • To see how an implanted pace...

What is an ECG? ECG is the abbreviated term for an electrocardiogram. It is used to record the electrical activity of the heart from different angles to both identify and locate pathology. Electrodes are placed on different parts of a patient’s limbs and chest to record the electrical activity. Check out our You may also be interested in our ECG flashcard deck which can be purchased as part of our collection of 2000+ OSCE flashcards. Parts of the ECG explained P waves P waves represent atrial depolarisation. In healthy individuals, there should be a P wave preceding each QRS complex. PR interval The PR interval begins at the star t of the P wave and ends at the beginning of the Q wave. It represents the time taken for electrical activity to move between the atria and the ventricles. QRS complex The QRS complex represents depolarisation of the ventricles. It appears as three closely related waves on the ECG (the Q, R and S wave). ST segment The ST segment starts at the end of the S wave and ends at the beginning of the T wave. The ST segment is an isoelectric line that represents the time between depolarisation and repolarisation of the ventricles (i.e. ventricular contraction). T wave The T wave represents ventricular repolarisation. It appears as a small wave after the QRS complex. RR interval The RR interval begins at the peak of one R wave and ends at the peak of the next R wave. It represents the time between two QRS complexes. QT interval The QT interval begins at the...

ECG (EKG) Interpretation As with all investigations the most important things are your findings on history, examination and basic observations. Having a good system will avoid making errors. To start with we will cover the basics of the ECG, how it is recorded and the basic physiology. The 12-lead ECG misleadingly only has 10 electrodes (sometimes also called leads but to avoid confusion we will refer to them as electrodes). The leads can be thought of as taking a picture of the heart’s electrical activity from 12 different positions using information picked up by the 10 electrodes. These comprise 4 limb electrodes and 6 chest electrodes. Figure 1. Electrode positions on an ECG (EKG). When electrical activity (or depolarisation) travels towards a lead, the deflection is net positive. When the activity travels away from the lead the deflection is net negative. If it is at 90 degrees then the complex is ‘isoelectric’ i.e. the R and S wave are the same size. This can often be seen in V4 (see Figure 3). Figure 2. The electrical activity on an ECG (EKG). Figure 3. The electrical activity on an ECG (EKG). The areas represented on the ECG are summarized below: • V1, V2 = RV • V3, V4 = septum • V5, V6 = L side of the heart • Lead I = L side of the heart • Lead II = inferior territory • Lead III = inferior territory • aVF = inferior territory (remember ‘F’ for ‘feet’) • aVL = L side of the heart • aVR = R side of the heart The ECG can be broken down into the individual components. ...

Electrocardiogram An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the electrical signal from the heart to check for different heart conditions. Electrodes are placed on the chest to record the heart's electrical signals, which cause the heart to beat. The signals are shown as waves on an attached computer monitor or printer. An electrocardiogram records the electrical signals in the heart. It's a common and painless test used to quickly detect heart problems and monitor the heart's health. An electrocardiogram — also called ECG or EKG— is often done in a health care provider's office, a clinic or a hospital room. ECG machines are standard equipment in operating rooms and ambulances. Some personal devices, such as smartwatches, offer ECG monitoring. Ask your health care provider if this is an option for you. • • Why it's done An electrocardiogram is a painless, noninvasive way to help diagnose many common heart problems. A health care provider might use an electrocardiogram to determine or detect: • Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) • If blocked or narrowed arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) are causing chest pain or a heart attack • Whether you have had a previous heart attack • How well certain heart disease treatments, such as a pacemaker, are working You may need an ECG if you have any of the following signs and symptoms: • Chest pain • Dizziness, lightheadedness or confusion • Heart palpitations • Rapid pulse • Shortness of breath • Weakness, fatigue or a de...

An ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a type of heart attack that mainly affects your heart’s lower chambers. They are named for how they change the appearance of your heart’s electrical activity on a certain type of diagnostic test. STEMIs tend to be more severe and dangerous compared to other types of heart attack. Overview How a coronary artery blockage causes a STEMI heart attack. What is a STEMI? An ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a type of heart attack that is more serious and has a greater risk of serious complications and death. It gets its name from how it mainly affects the heart’s lower chambers and changes how electrical current travels through them. Any heart attack is a life-threatening medical emergency that needs immediate care. If you or someone you’re with appears to be having a heart attack, do not hesitate to call 911 (or the appropriate number for local emergency services). Any delay in receiving care can lead to permanent damage to the heart muscle or death. Why is it called a STEMI? Myocardial infarction is the medical term for a heart attack. An infarction is a blockage of blood flow to the myocardium, the heart muscle. That blockage causes the heart muscle to die. A STEMI is a myocardial infarction that causes a distinct pattern on an electrocardiogram (abbreviated either as ECG or EKG). This is a medical test that uses several sensors (usually 10) attached to your skin that can detect your heart’s electrical activity. That...

\( \newcommand\) • EKG Terms Depolarization: An electrical shift that takes place within muscle cells, causing the muscle to reach action potential and ultimately contract. The electrical shift is measurable via the EKG, and allows the clinician to visually predict what the heart is doing and in what pattern. All muscle cells go through depolarization when they contract. Repolarization: A secondary, smaller electrical shift that takes place after a depolarization. This prepares the cells to be able to depolarize again. Cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle cells all go through repolarization. Baseline: Also called the isoelectric line. The EKG graph line when there is no electrical activity happening. Artifact: Interference from movement of the other muscles during an EKG reading, causing the EKG to look distorted. Usually caused by movement, heavy breathing, or talking during the reading. All muscles produce electrical activity when they contract (see above - depolarization and repolarization) and any muscle movement during an EKG reading will be visible on the graph even if it does not originate from the heart. Automaticity: The ability of a cardiac muscle cell to spontaneously depolarize and reach action potential without external stimulation from a nerve or hormone. All cardiac muscle cells possess some degree of automaticity. Irritability: The concept that individual heart muscle fibers, when deprived of a nutrient needed to function optimally (ie: oxygen, glucose, cer...

You may also be interested in our ECG flashcard deck which can be purchased as part of our collection of 1000+ OSCE flashcards. Confirm details Before beginning ECG interpretation, you should check the following details: • Confirm the name and date of birth of the patient matches the details on the ECG. • Check the date and time that the ECG was performed. • Check the calibration of the ECG (usually 25mm/s and 10mm/1mV). You might also be interested in our over 2000 flashcards that cover clinical examination, procedures, communication skills and data interpretation. Heart rate What’s a normal adult heart rate? • Normal: 60-100 bpm • Tachycardia: > 100 bpm • Bradycardia: < 60 bpm Regular heart rhythm If a patient has a regular heart rhythm their heart rate can be calculated using the following method: • Count the number of large squares present within one R-R interval. • Divide 300 by this number to calculate heart rate. Heart rate calculation example • 4 large squares in an R-R interval • 300/4 = 75 beats per minute How to calculate a heart rate on a normal ECG Irregular heart rhythm If a patient’s heart rhythm is irregular the first method of heart rate calculation doesn’t work (as the R-R interval differs significantly throughout the ECG). As a result, you need to apply a different method: • Count the number of complexes on the rhythm strip (each rhythm strip is typically 10 seconds long). • Multiply the number of complexes by 6 (giving you the average number of complexe...

An EKG test is an easy way to get information to diagnose a problem with your heart. It doesn’t take long and doesn’t cause pain, but an electrocardiogram test can tell your healthcare provider if you’ve had a heart attack, heart failure or heart damage. It can also tell them if your heart rhythm isn’t normal or how well your pacemaker is working. Overview EKG showing heartbeat frequency and duration. What is an EKG? An electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) uses temporary electrodes on your chest and limbs to monitor, track and document your heart’s electrical activity (which controls your heartbeats) for diagnostic purposes. A computer translates the information into a wave pattern your healthcare provider can interpret. This is a quick, noninvasive test that doesn’t hurt. You can get an EKG while lying down and resting or while you’re exercising as part of a Types of EKG devices Because a typical EKG tracks your heart’s electrical activity for a very short time, it probably won’t pick up irregularities that only happen once in a while. It’s like when your internet is acting up but seems fine when someone comes to repair it. To capture these erratic issues, your provider can give you: • Holter monitor : You wear this device for 24 to 48 hours to get a continuous recording of your heart’s electrical activity for that time frame. • Event monitor: You wear this device for a week or more and may need to click a button to start recording when you feel symptoms. How to read an EKG Your o...

What is an electrocardiogram? An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the simplest and fastest tests used to evaluate the heart. Electrodes (small, plastic patches that stick to the skin) are placed at certain spots on the chest, arms, and legs. The electrodes are connected to an ECG machine by lead wires. The electrical activity of the heart is then measured, interpreted, and printed out. No electricity is sent into the body. Natural electrical impulses coordinate contractions of the different parts of the heart to keep blood flowing the way it should. An ECG records these impulses to show how fast the heart is beating, the rhythm of the heart beats (steady or irregular), and the strength and timing of the electrical impulses as they move through the different parts of the heart. Changes in an ECG can be a sign of many heart-related conditions. Why might I need an electrocardiogram? Some reasons for your doctor to request an electrocardiogram (ECG) include: • To look for the cause of chest pain • To evaluate problems which may be heart-related, such as severe tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting • To identify irregular heartbeats • To help determine the overall health of the heart before procedures such as surgery; or after treatment for conditions such as a heart attack (myocardial infarction, or MI), endocarditis (inflammation or infection of one or more of the heart valves); or after heart surgery or cardiac catheterization • To see how an implanted pace...

\( \newcommand\) • EKG Terms Depolarization: An electrical shift that takes place within muscle cells, causing the muscle to reach action potential and ultimately contract. The electrical shift is measurable via the EKG, and allows the clinician to visually predict what the heart is doing and in what pattern. All muscle cells go through depolarization when they contract. Repolarization: A secondary, smaller electrical shift that takes place after a depolarization. This prepares the cells to be able to depolarize again. Cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle cells all go through repolarization. Baseline: Also called the isoelectric line. The EKG graph line when there is no electrical activity happening. Artifact: Interference from movement of the other muscles during an EKG reading, causing the EKG to look distorted. Usually caused by movement, heavy breathing, or talking during the reading. All muscles produce electrical activity when they contract (see above - depolarization and repolarization) and any muscle movement during an EKG reading will be visible on the graph even if it does not originate from the heart. Automaticity: The ability of a cardiac muscle cell to spontaneously depolarize and reach action potential without external stimulation from a nerve or hormone. All cardiac muscle cells possess some degree of automaticity. Irritability: The concept that individual heart muscle fibers, when deprived of a nutrient needed to function optimally (ie: oxygen, glucose, cer...