The ability to accurately perform a standard ECG interpretation is the most fundamental task that anyone working in cardiac care must master. A 12-lead electrocardiogram provides an image of heart functionality and is essential to the process of identifying an abnormality in the rate and rhythm. Those who plan to work in the medical field, as an EKG technician, will spend the majority of their time administering electrocardiograms and might be expected to assess both the exam quality and differentiate between normal and abnormal results.

Waves and Intervals

Proper ECG interpretation requires a basic understanding of the different elements found on a tracing. Every ECG consists of a series of waves and intervals that represent electrical current as it flows through the heart and initiates contractions within the cardiac cells. The ‘P wave’ is seen first on the tracing and it represents the depolarization of the right and left atria. The atria are … Click Here to Continue Reading