What is an abnormality on an EKG?

An abnormal ECG can mean many things. Sometimes an ECG abnormality is a normal variation of a heart’s rhythm, which does not affect your health. Other times, an abnormal ECG can signal a medical emergency, such as a myocardial infarction /heart attack or a dangerous arrhythmia.

How can you tell if an ECG is normal or abnormal?

The signals with heart rates outside the range of 60–100 beats per minute and QRS durations outside the range of 0.08 sec to 0.12 sec are considered as abnormal signals. The ECG signals with heart rates and QRS durations within the range are considered as normal signals.

What do all the bumps in an EKG represent?

“Bumps” and “spikes” recording represent the electricity going through the various parts of the heart.

What do high spikes on an EKG mean?

The results are shown in the form of a graph that looks like a spiky line. The spikes should appear in regular clusters, each of represents one whole heartbeat. The distance between these spikes shows your heart rate. If the distances are too short, too long, or irregular, it can be a sign of a problem.

What does tachycardia look like on an ECG?

Sinus tachycardia is recognized on an ECG with a normal upright P wave in lead II preceding every QRS complex. This indicates that the pacemaker is coming from the sinus node and not elsewhere in the atria, with an atrial rate of greater than 100 beats per minute.

What do downward spikes on an EKG mean?

The basic pattern of the ECG is logical: electrical activity towards a lead causes an upward deflection. electrical activity away from a lead causes a downward deflection. depolarization and repolarization deflections occur in opposite directions.

What does atrial fib look like on EKG?

Fibrillatory waves: Some people with A-fib will have fibrillatory waves on their EKG. These waves are a sign of the atria pulsing out of time. Fibrillatory waves can look a lot like P waves, and this can make an A-fib rhythm look like sinus rhythm.

How do you read an EKG strip for dummies?

5 Step Method to Reading An EKG Strip

  1. Identify and Examine the P Waves. The P-Wave, located at the beginning of the ECG cycle, should be present and upright.
  2. Measure the PR Interval. The next step is to measure the PR interval.
  3. Measure the QRS Complex.
  4. Identify the Rhythm.
  5. Determine the Heart Rate.