An electrocardiogram (ECG or ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity in your heart. This examination can help determine the cause of the symptoms you may be experiencing or to check your overall health. This article will help you to read the ECG.
Step
Method 1 of 2: The Basics
Step 1. See your doctor for an EKG
This examination is one of the simplest and most widely used cardiac examinations, but it can provide useful information and is still an important part of the examination of cardiac patients. Papers of the results of the examination can usually be obtained immediately after the examination is complete. But sometimes you will not get the result after a few days.
When you are having a screening for the first time, this process can be a little uncomfortable. Something sticky will be applied to different parts of your body and a tracking device will be placed at various points to check your heart. This device will detect the electrical activity in your heart; if this activity leads to the tracking device, then the line will go up (this is known as positive detection); if the activity is away from the tool then the line will go down (referred to as negative detection). You will see the movement on the graph paper when the inspection is complete
Step 2. Understand the boxes in the ECG printout
the voltage is measured along a vertical line; time is measured along a horizontal line. There are large size boxes that are divided into smaller boxes.
The size of the small square is 1 mm and represents 0.04 seconds. The size of the large square is 5 mm and represents 0.2 seconds
Step 3. Measure the time between your heartbeats
This is referred to as a P wave, which is a straight line between the ravine and the crest. Normal duration is between 0.12 to 2 seconds i.e. 3 to 4 small horizontal squares.
- This time must be consistent throughout the examination. If there are different times (different number of squares) between heartbeats, then this indicates an irregular heartbeat. It's only something you need to worry about if your doctor says so -- so it's probably okay.
- The small peak that follows is called the T wave -- which ends the heartbeat, and repolarizes the heart's ventricles.
Method 2 of 2: Details
Step 1. Find 2 identical peaks in your ECG reading
Count how many squares there are between the peaks. The top of the crest is the "R", but the entire apex body is referred to as the QRS complex (second contraction through the ventricle).
This pattern is referred to as a normal sinus rhythm. This result is a basic ECG of a normal heart. Naturally, there is some normal variation in a healthy population and everyone may look different, but still be healthy
Step 2. Use the following formula to calculate your heart rate:
300 divided by the number of squares between the 2 peaks. In this diagram, there are 3 squares, so 300 divided by 3 = 100 heartbeats per minute.
- For example, if you count the 4 large squares between your peaks, your heart rate per minute is 75. Because 300 divided by 4 = 75.
- If you can't find an identical point in your reading, count the number of peaks that are within the 6-second reading, and multiply that number by 10 to get your approximate heart rate. For example, if there are 7 R waves in a 6 second reading, your heart rate is 70 because 7 times 10 = 70.
Step 3. Ask your doctor about an irregular heartbeat
You may notice an irregular heartbeat and the doctor doesn't say anything. This is not because your doctor ignores or doesn't know about it, but because he just doesn't want you to worry about something that isn't a serious problem.
