What are ECG tracings?
The recorded tracing is called an electrocardiogram (ECG, or EKG). A “typical” ECG tracing is shown to the right. The different waves that comprise the ECG represent the sequence of depolarization and repolarization of the atria and ventricles.
How do you identify an arrhythmia on an ECG?
The ECG criteria to diagnose sinus arrhythmia is a variation of the P-P interval, from one beat to the next, of at least 0.12 seconds, or 120 milliseconds. Sinus arrhythmia ― if not in a young person and not occurring with respiration may be a sign of ― sick sinus syndrome, or SSS.
What is abnormal ECG?
An abnormal ECG can mean many things. Sometimes an ECG abnormality is a normal variation of a heart’s rhythm, which does not affect your health. Other times, an abnormal ECG can signal a medical emergency, such as a myocardial infarction /heart attack or a dangerous arrhythmia.
What does it mean if you have an inverted T wave?
Despite this fact, inverted T waves in the setting of an appropriate clinical history are very suggestive of ischemia. Ischemia can be due to an acute coronary syndrome caused by rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque or due to factors increasing oxygen demand or decreasing oxygen supply such as severe anemia or sepsis.
When is arrhythmia serious?
Complications depend on the type of arrhythmia. In general, complications of heart arrhythmias may include stroke, sudden death and heart failure. Heart arrhythmias are associated with an increased risk of blood clots. If a clot breaks loose, it can travel from the heart to the brain, causing a stroke.
How to trace an EKG?
1 EKG Tracing. 2 Step 2. Rhythm. 3 the left and right shoulders and one on the left side of the abdomen (although conceptually they are on. 4 There are some tricks to save you time, but first think about a normal EKG plot; in a normal EKG. 5 Step 4. Precordial Leads. 6 (more items)
How to tell if EKG rhythm is normal or irregular?
The EKG rhythm will appear irregular with heart rate that is slow or normal. Observe that the pacemaker spikes are not followed by p waves or qrs complexes. The EKG rhythm will appear irregular and pacemaker spikes do not appear. The EKG rhythm will appear regular with heart rate that is normal. The P wave and PR interval will both appear normal.
Does a 12-lead EKG put you in a lethal rhythm?
Regular, irregular, fast, slow, wide, narrow, stable, unstable. Does looking at a 12-lead EKG 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.
What rhythms are covered in the ECG?
Rhythms from Ventricular Fibrillation to Complete Heart Block are covered. Examples of each ECG tracing are provided, and after each article is a short video that simulates the ACLS ECG on a defibrillator monitor. You will also find a question and answer section below each rhythm video.