How to read ecg report

ECG Interpretation Part 1: definitions, criteria, and characteristics of the normal ECG (EKG) waves, intervals, durations & rhythm This is arguably one of the most important chapters throughout this course. At the heart of normal findings, normal variants (i.e less common variants of what is considered normal) and pathological variants. Thus, in this chapter, you will learn the physiological basis of all ECG waves and how to determine whether the ECG is normal or abnormal.Although heart rhythm will be discussed in detail in the next chapters, fundamental aspects of rhythm will also be covered in this discussion(refer to ECG example 1. Normal ECG example 2. Normal sinus rhythm. R-waves have low amplitude, suggesting low voltage (see below). ECG example 3. Normal sinus rhythm. ECG example 4. Normal sinus rhythm. ECG example 5. Sinus rhythm. ECG example 6. Sinus rhythm, rapid progression of R-waves in precordial leads. Slight ST-segment elevation in leads V2-V3, which is normal in men and women. ECG example 7. Sinus rhythm. Relatively large T-waves in V2-V3, with ST-segment elevations. Relative to the R-waves, T-waves are too large and pointed (differential diagnoses are considered below). ECG examples. Click to zoom. Overview of the normal electrocardiogram (ECG) ECG interpretation includes an assessment of the morphology (appearance) of the waves and intervals on the ECG curve. Therefore, ECG interpretation requires a structured assessment of the waves and intervals. Before...

Regular, irregular, fast, slow, wide, narrow, stable, unstable. Being able to interpret or read an electrocardiogram, more commonly referred to as an EKG or ECG is an important skill for nurses. It’s important to know that there is no difference between an ECG and an EKG. Both refer to the same procedure; however, one is in English (electrocardiogram – ECG) and the other is based on the German spelling (elektrokardiogramm – EKG). Does looking at a 12-lead EKG/ECG put your own heart into a lethal rhythm? Nurses are usually the first ones to read that “hot off the press” EKG tracing. A 12-lead EKG is considered the gold standard; however, a 4 lead EKG can also diagnose different heart conditions. This article will explain and everything you need to know about ekg readings. This article has been reviewed by our panel of experienced registered nurses: • Tyler Faust, MSN, RN • Chaunie Brusie, BSN, RN • Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, BA, CBC What is an ECG? Before interpreting an EKG, it is important to know what an EKG is and its importance. An EKG/ECG is a representation of the electrical activity of the heart muscle as it changes with time, usually printed on paper for easier analysis. The EKG/ECG is a printed capture of a brief moment in time. EKGs can be used to diagnose heart attacks, heart problems including electrical malfunctioning, and other heart problems. They are often used to diagnose heart problems in combination with an echocardiogram or echo. >> Related: How to Read ...

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. ...

An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart. This test can help determine the cause of symptoms you might be having or check the overall health of your heart. Reading a basic EKG is not that hard. However, you should always let your doctor or medical professional properly read your EKG and diagnose you. Understand the grids of an EKG paper printout. Voltage—the electrical signals of the heart—is measured along the vertical axis; time is measured along the horizontal axis in squares. There are large squares that are divided into smaller squares. X Research source • Small squares are 1 mm across and represent 0.04 seconds. The large squares measure 5 mm across and represent 0.2 seconds. • 10 mm in height is equal to 1mV in voltage. • Interpreting these values will help you determine if the heartbeat is irregular, or too fast or too slow. X Research source Find the QRS complex and label it on the handout. The Q wave is the downward or negative dip right before the large spike. The R wave is right after that, and is usually the largest spike on the readout. Following that is the S wave, which is the dip down below the baseline again. X Research source • Look at the peaks on the printout. You will need to look at the whole strip to check for an irregular heartbeat. • This is a pattern called normal sinus rhythm, and it's the basic EKG of a healthy heart. Many people's EKG may vary slightly from this baseline, though, while...

Heart rate monitors are part and parcel of smartwatches and fitness trackers now, but electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) is the new sensor in town. The technology is designed to help people keep closer tabs on their heart health, and can even be used to help identify atrial fibrillation (Afib) a serious medical condition that is a leading cause of stroke. ECG was thrust into the wearable spotlight via the Apple Watch Series 4, but it can now be found on smartwatches from Samsung, Google, Fitbit and even Huawei and Garmin. What is ECG and why is it a useful feature to have on a smartwatch? We get into all of the key details below. What is ECG? Most wearables have optical heart rate monitors, which use flashing LEDs to penetrate the skin and detect blood flow. When light is reflected off the flow of blood, it’s captured by the sensors. The algorithm then gets to work to turn that into an estimation of your heart rate. But it’s not as accurate as it could be – especially where medical issues are involved. Enter the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Rather than measuring blood flow, it’s designed to measure how well your heart is working. It’s a term you’d more commonly hear in the medical industry, referring to an electrocardiograph that's used to detect cardiac abnormalities. Why would I buy an ECG smartwatch? An ECG smartwatch can detect if you have atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes an irregular heart rate and is a leading cause of strokes. Taking an ECG reading on your w...

What is a Rhythm Strip? An EKG or ECG stands for Electrocardiography, which is the electrical activity of the heart traced on paper (or a monitor). A rhythm strip is at least a 6-second tracing printed out on graph paper which shows activity from one or two leads. Leads are “views” of the heart. There are 12 leads that are traditionally obtained with a 12-lead EKG, but most portable and bedside monitors only monitor 3-5 leads at a time. Luckily – interpreting a single rhythm strip is much easier than a 12-lead EKG. Most rhythm strips are interpreted from Lead II as this gives a great view of the heart. The goal of reading an EKG rhythm strip is to determine the rate and rhythm of the patient. This is great for identifying baseline cardiac rhythm as well as any arrhythmias or ectopy that may occur (like a premature beat). A 12-lead EKG also looks at the rate and rhythm, but additionally gives nearly a complete 360° view of the heart. This means it can be used to assess for things like cardiac ischemia or infarction, conduction delays, and even enlarged chamber size. The ECG Rhythm Strip Tracing As I said earlier – an ECG Rhythm tracing is the electrical activity of the heart recorded on paper or a monitor. This is traditionally printed out on a 6-second strip. This can make it easy to determine the rate of an irregular rhythm if it is not given to you (count the complexes and multiply by 10). Thick black lines are printed every 3 seconds, so the distance between 3 black lin...

Regular, irregular, fast, slow, wide, narrow, stable, unstable. Being able to interpret or read an electrocardiogram, more commonly referred to as an EKG or ECG is an important skill for nurses. It’s important to know that there is no difference between an ECG and an EKG. Both refer to the same procedure; however, one is in English (electrocardiogram – ECG) and the other is based on the German spelling (elektrokardiogramm – EKG). Does looking at a 12-lead EKG/ECG put your own heart into a lethal rhythm? Nurses are usually the first ones to read that “hot off the press” EKG tracing. A 12-lead EKG is considered the gold standard; however, a 4 lead EKG can also diagnose different heart conditions. This article will explain and everything you need to know about ekg readings. This article has been reviewed by our panel of experienced registered nurses: • Tyler Faust, MSN, RN • Chaunie Brusie, BSN, RN • Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, BA, CBC What is an ECG? Before interpreting an EKG, it is important to know what an EKG is and its importance. An EKG/ECG is a representation of the electrical activity of the heart muscle as it changes with time, usually printed on paper for easier analysis. The EKG/ECG is a printed capture of a brief moment in time. EKGs can be used to diagnose heart attacks, heart problems including electrical malfunctioning, and other heart problems. They are often used to diagnose heart problems in combination with an echocardiogram or echo. >> Related: How to Read ...

• Basic anatomy & physiology • Introduction to ECG Interpretation • Arrhythmias and arrhythmology • Myocardial Ischemia & Infarction • Conduction Defects • Cardiac Hypertrophy & Enlargement • Drugs & Electrolyte Imbalance • Genetics, Syndromes & Miscellaneous • Exercise Stress Testing (Exercise ECG) • Pacemaker & CRT • Pediatric & neonatal ECG • ECHO • SCA & CPR • TAKE A TEST • POPULAR ECG Interpretation Part 1: definitions, criteria, and characteristics of the normal ECG (EKG) waves, intervals, durations & rhythm This is arguably one of the most important chapters throughout this course. At the heart of normal findings, normal variants (i.e less common variants of what is considered normal) and pathological variants. Thus, in this chapter, you will learn the physiological basis of all ECG waves and how to determine whether the ECG is normal or abnormal.Although heart rhythm will be discussed in detail in the next chapters, fundamental aspects of rhythm will also be covered in this discussion(refer to ECG example 1. Normal ECG example 2. Normal sinus rhythm. R-waves have low amplitude, suggesting low voltage (see below). ECG example 3. Normal sinus rhythm. ECG example 4. Normal sinus rhythm. ECG example 5. Sinus rhythm. ECG example 6. Sinus rhythm, rapid progression of R-waves in precordial leads. Slight ST-segment elevation in leads V2-V3, which is normal in men and women. ECG example 7. Sinus rhythm. Relatively large T-waves in V2-V3, with ST-segment elevations. Relative...

Heart rate monitors are part and parcel of smartwatches and fitness trackers now, but electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) is the new sensor in town. The technology is designed to help people keep closer tabs on their heart health, and can even be used to help identify atrial fibrillation (Afib) a serious medical condition that is a leading cause of stroke. ECG was thrust into the wearable spotlight via the Apple Watch Series 4, but it can now be found on smartwatches from Samsung, Google, Fitbit and even Huawei and Garmin. What is ECG and why is it a useful feature to have on a smartwatch? We get into all of the key details below. What is ECG? Most wearables have optical heart rate monitors, which use flashing LEDs to penetrate the skin and detect blood flow. When light is reflected off the flow of blood, it’s captured by the sensors. The algorithm then gets to work to turn that into an estimation of your heart rate. But it’s not as accurate as it could be – especially where medical issues are involved. Enter the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Rather than measuring blood flow, it’s designed to measure how well your heart is working. It’s a term you’d more commonly hear in the medical industry, referring to an electrocardiograph that's used to detect cardiac abnormalities. Why would I buy an ECG smartwatch? An ECG smartwatch can detect if you have atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes an irregular heart rate and is a leading cause of strokes. Taking an ECG reading on your w...

What is a Rhythm Strip? An EKG or ECG stands for Electrocardiography, which is the electrical activity of the heart traced on paper (or a monitor). A rhythm strip is at least a 6-second tracing printed out on graph paper which shows activity from one or two leads. Leads are “views” of the heart. There are 12 leads that are traditionally obtained with a 12-lead EKG, but most portable and bedside monitors only monitor 3-5 leads at a time. Luckily – interpreting a single rhythm strip is much easier than a 12-lead EKG. Most rhythm strips are interpreted from Lead II as this gives a great view of the heart. The goal of reading an EKG rhythm strip is to determine the rate and rhythm of the patient. This is great for identifying baseline cardiac rhythm as well as any arrhythmias or ectopy that may occur (like a premature beat). A 12-lead EKG also looks at the rate and rhythm, but additionally gives nearly a complete 360° view of the heart. This means it can be used to assess for things like cardiac ischemia or infarction, conduction delays, and even enlarged chamber size. The ECG Rhythm Strip Tracing As I said earlier – an ECG Rhythm tracing is the electrical activity of the heart recorded on paper or a monitor. This is traditionally printed out on a 6-second strip. This can make it easy to determine the rate of an irregular rhythm if it is not given to you (count the complexes and multiply by 10). Thick black lines are printed every 3 seconds, so the distance between 3 black lin...