Resources for learning how to read an ECG.

It occurred to me that it would be useful to learn how to read an ECG with the same level of expertise as, say, a technician or nurse. Does anyone know if it’s feasible to teach oneself this, and whether there are any good books or online resources for this purpose? I’m thinking that it would be useful to do this, particularly with the 6 lead Kardia.

[Finvola]

Sam, Futurelearn have this online course for ECG interpretation. I don't know how advanced it is, but their courses are good - and free.

futurelearn.com/search?q=ec...

[BobD Volunteer]

Sounds like a recipe for a lot of stress and grief to me. It is obvious that many doctors are unable to read ECGs properly from all we see here. Some things such as the saw tooth trace of flutter and the lack of P wave in AF are fairly easy to see but but a full understanding I think best left to the experts (EPs) .

I watched a video a few years ago where a specialist set up a room full of doctors with sample ECG traces and asked for their diagnosis. NONE of them got all of them right.

[jeanjeannie50]

About a year or so ago someone on here had started teaching us how to read an ECG, but unfortunately there appeared to be little interest from forum members. So he stopped. I know that on Facebook Dr Sanjay Gupta from York cardiology has made a presentation on how to do it. If not if you do a YouTube search you will find lots of information on how to read one.

Jean

[Diver2]

I have kept copies of MY EKG charts for the last 15 years. I ask the dctor after he has reviewed them to show me where on the chart is the Afib or the Flutter, etc. I can look back at the past charts to see how they change. As I said previously I listen to the Music Therapy so I am only in one type of arrythmia at a time, so I can check my own arrythmias to see if anything has changed agter a visit to the doctor. Before I retired I moved alot for business and have been shown each EKG I've had by 7 different Electrophysiologists over the years and not one has ever objected to showing me the chart, giving me a copy to keep and explaining where the abnormal dips and peaks are. I would suggest you speak to your own doctor to get your particular pattern.

[cuore]

Healio is an excellent site to learn ECG. Steve S. Ryan in his website directs you to the sites:

a-fib.com/learn-to-read-you...

[momist]

Have you looked on the Kardia web site? They have some good online tutorials there, but perhaps not to the level of detail you were wanting.

[Barb1]

I did the Future Learn one in March last year. Trouble is that the next time I had an ECG, I questioned what the nurse was doing. After also correcting her terminology on 'blood thinners,' she wasn't happy with me!

[johnMiosh]

I have recently found a site which has 100 flashcards of single lead ECGs; just click to see the diagnosis on the rear. There is a reassuringly large number of different traces that are considered to be normal sinus rhythm. Well worth a look to compare with your own readings.

monitortech.org/rhythm-stri...

[tunybgur]

Hi Sam,

Reading a 12 channel ECG is a specialist job which requires a lot of training.

I tried to learn myself but it became increasingly obvious that it was very specialised and mostly irrelevant for my purposes.

For AF all you really need to know is how to spot the 'P' wave (or lack of it) which is the most obvious sign as well as an irregular pulse and lack of energy of course.

Good luck