How to Learn Basic EKG

An EKG (electrocardiogram) is a physical representation of the rhythm of the heart. Reading an EKG for the first time is often a daunting task for the uninitiated. However, by first identifying the three waves on the chart, you can begin to interpret the data and calculate heart rate. Learn the basic information expressed through the EKG chart and interpret it with confidence.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine the waves on the EKG chart. Reading the chart from left to right, the first wave is called the P Wave, the second wave is called the QRS complex and the third is referred to as the T wave.

• 2

  Determine the distance between the R's in the QRS complex. Locate an R, the highest point of the wave in the QRS complex, and count the number of boxes between the R and the following R on the EKG chart.

• 3

  Determine the heart rate. Divide 300 by the number of boxes you counted between the R's. This number is the heart rate for the EKG. For example, if you counted three boxes between the R's, then the heart rate would be 100 beats per minute.