Explained: EKGs

#FamilyMedicine #CardiologyClinic

Electrocardiogram medical testing is a regular procedure that takes place in both the cardiology clinic as well as family medicine office. It's a quick and simple way to evaluate the heart function of patients within minutes.

What is an Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)?

Essentially, it's a mechanism that records the electrical signals produced by the heart. It's a noninvasive process and can be administered nearly anywhere with a machine such as ambulances or clinic offices. Many smartwatches have EKG functions as well.

If your wondering why ECG and EKG both refer to the Electrocardiogram, it's just based on nationality (U.S. or German). EKG is more utilized in the U.S. simply because ECG sounds very similar to another process EEG (electroencephalogram for brain activity).

Why it's done

EKGs are used to detect irregular heartbeat patterns as well as blocked and narrowed arteries in the heart. This can show signs of Coronary artery disease. In my cardiology clinic, EKGs were heavily used to measure how well pacemakers were operating inside the person's heart and if their heart rate was as needed.

Basic Process

1. Remove any tight jewelry from a patient that could affect results or blood flow

2. Remove any clothing from above the waist while maintaining privacy and only showing necessary skin

3. Clear area (shave if necessary)

4. Place the patient laying flat on the bed. Start placing electrodes on specific spots of the chest based on a chart such as in the example shown below. There are many different placements, click on the image to find more electrode placements based on the type of EKG.

5. Connect leads from skin electrodes to the EKG machine

6. Start EKG

7. Once tracing is complete, remove leads, disconnect skin electrodes, and comfort the patient.

Example Electrode Placements:

Interpreting Results

Patients will not need to do any special care after the EKG is completed. An EKG will provide the doctor with a graph with various lines moving up and down in bursts or intervals. The doctor can read and interpret these beats of the heart and recognize if there are any irregularities or if further investigation is needed. Here is an example of how a 12-lead EKG graph may look like:

Final Thoughts

EKGs are a pretty standard process used in many healthcare facilities from hospitals to clinics. In fact, its quite easy to get an EKG technician certificate, if you're interested, where you can perform EKG as well. There is much more to interpreting EKG results than this post, feel free to check out this page by GeekyMedicine to learn more about the specifics!