An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a noninvasive medical procedure that is used extensively to evaluate and monitor the electrical activity of the heart. In order to administer the ECG, a technician places electrodes on the chest and records electrical conduction on a specialized machine that is connected to the electrodes. A normal ECG consists of a series of waves and intervals that represent the activity during a cardiac cycle. Those who have cardiac damage or who suffer from heart disease might show abnormal patterns on their tracing.

Technicians who work in cardiac care must have an understanding of normal ECG patterns if they hope to be capable of providing an initial evaluation of the quality of the test results before passing them off to a registered nurse or licensed physician for professional review. The ability to differentiate between a high quality exam and a low quality exam is one of the essential skills that … Click Here to Continue Reading