How to Read an Abnormal EKG

An EKG graph

Electrocardiograms, called EKGs or ECGs, are printed graphs of a patient's heartbeat. They represent the contraction and relaxation of the atria and ventricles. If an abnormal condition is present, it will show in the EKG. An EKG should be read by a licensed professional, but for people who have access to their graph, a basic method is used to read abnormal results.

Instructions

1. View the components of the graph. In the image above, several parts of the graph are highlighted, but the main part used in an irregular heartbeat rhythm is the R wave. This large spike represents the contraction of the ventricles, or the heartbeat.

2. Count the number of seconds in the EKG strip. Each EKG strip is made up of a square that envelopes tinier squares. One square of the EKG is .20 seconds, so three of these make up one second. Within the larger square are tiny squares that indicate .04 seconds. Five tiny horizontal squares make up .20 seconds of the larger one. You need a full 6 seconds of an EKG strip to calculate the heartbeat.

3. Calculate the heartbeat by counting the number of R waves in an EKG 6-second strip and multiply by 10. For instance, if you have 10 R waves, the heartbeat is 100. The normal pulse for a person at rest is 60 to 80 per minute.

4. Calculate a normal heart rate by dividing 300 by the number of large squares between QRS complexes. The QRS complex, shown in the image above, marks the start and end of the heart's contraction. For instance, if there are four large squares between each QRS complex, the calculation is 300/4 = 75 heartbeats per minute. More advanced reading from your doctor can detect former heart attacks, heart disease, or poor electrical impulses.

References

• RnCeus: How to Read an EKG
• Montana State University: Normal Heart Rate