How to Read a Heart EKG

Reading an EKG (electrocardiogram) can be a difficult process if you are not properly trained or are unfamiliar with the test. Locating the three waves on the chart and interpreting their meaning is a skill that will take practice. Below is a basic method to properly read a heart EKG.

Things You'll Need

• EKG chart
• Calipers

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Instructions

• 1

  Locate the P wave. See Reference 2 below and observe the shape, size, and location of the P wave. The P wave should be regularly occurring and should remain regularly spaced. Measure the space between the P waves with calipers to ensure that the distance is regular.

• 2

  Calculate the atoll rate. According to Reference 1 below, you should "...count the number of P waves in two 3-second segments and multiply by 10."

• 3

  Determine the PR interval by counting the squares between the beginning of the P wave and the beginning of the QRS complex. Take that figure and multiply by .04 seconds. A normal PR Interval is between .12 and .20 seconds.

• 4

  Check the ventricular rhythm. Using calipers, measure the distance between the Rs of the QRS complex. If these distances are equal, the ventricular rhythm is regular.

• 5

  Determine the ventricular rate. Count the small squares between two R waves. Take 1500 and divide by the figure you just acquired. This gives you the ventricular rate.

• 6

  Determine the duration of the QRS complex. Count the squares from the beginning of the Q to the end of the S wave. Multiply this figure by .04 seconds. Normal QRS interval is less than .72 seconds.

• 7

  Check the QT interval. Count the small squares from the beginning of the Q in the QRS complex to the end of the T wave. Multiply this figure by .04 seconds. Normal QT interval is between .36 and .44 seconds.