ECG Interpretation 1.10

Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) is the process of recording the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time. A typical ECG tracing consists of a cycle of three electrical entities: a P wave (atrial depolarization), a QRS complex (ventricular depolarization), and a T wave (ventricular repolarization). The systematic interpretation of an ECG is essential to ensure the detection of any clinically significant findings.

• In normal conditions, the heart rate generally falls within the range of 60 to 100 beats per minute. Heart rates below 60 beats per minute are classified as bradycardic, whereas rates exceeding 100 beats per minute are considered tachycardic. It is worth noting that certain athletes may exhibit a resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute.
• The heart's electrical axis refers to the overall direction of the ventricular depolarization wavefront or mean electrical vector within the sagittal plane, encompassing limb leads and augmented limb leads.
• Patient motion can significantly impact an ECG tracing. Certain rhythmic movements, such as shivering or tremors, may result in misinterpretations, mimicking cardiac dysrhythmias.