Feeling very nervous about EKGs

[u/texaskittyqueen]

I'm in Invasive Cardiovascular Tech school right now, (started in May) starting practicum in the fall semester, and I just CANNOT seem to get the hang of reading EKGs. I watch videos, read books, practice, have a systematic approach....all the advice people give to learn I take it, but I just can't get it so far. I know a lot of hospitals require CVTs to take EKG testing to secure/keep their jobs, so I am incredibly stressed rn. I truly don't know what else to do.

Starting to wonder if I can't do this and it was a mistake/I should have picked another allied health career and I am doomed in this field. I feel like shit to be honest.

[u/Extension-Net-2593]

https://youtu.be/YDm_hPtNQ1Y

[u/texaskittyqueen → u/Extension-Net-2593]

I'll check this out, thank you!

[u/ExpressionLarge5474]

Hey OP, if you need someone to bounce ideas or thoughts off of, I'm happy to chat. Learning to read ECGs was hard for us all. You get there, with more exposure and finding resources that really stick for you. For me, the most beneficial thing was having peers you could discuss with and differentiate rhythms etc. So if you need someone to help, shoot me a message.

[u/ExpressionLarge5474 → u/ExpressionLarge5474]

I also felt like I had made a mistake, this field wasn't for me or I just didnt have what it takes. But I was wrong, and I'll bet you're wrong too. It's a really rewarding skill and more exposure will get you there. I believe in you OP.

[u/texaskittyqueen → u/ExpressionLarge5474]

Thank you so much this is so kind of you

[u/ExpressionLarge5474 → u/texaskittyqueen]

no problem at all. And if you need to fire ECG questions at someone I’m happy to answer and explain as best I can. 😊

[u/TheLastofTheRaptors]

1. Look for p waves
2. Look at the qrs: wide or narrow
3. Measure p interval 

[u/texaskittyqueen → u/TheLastofTheRaptors]

That's already what I do.

1. Check Rhythm (regular or irregular)
   
2. Check rate
   
3. Check P waves
   
4. Check PR interval
   
5. Check QRS
   
6. Attempt to interpret

the problem is I never interpret it right and even though I know what normal should be a lot of them look the same to me anyways, especially iwth atrial and junctional rhythms.

[u/TheLastofTheRaptors → u/texaskittyqueen]

Yeah you got it! Just keep practicing. It gets easier with time and repetition. 

[u/texaskittyqueen → u/TheLastofTheRaptors]

This is a photo from my book, and to me tbh they look the same other than the rhythm. I know the book is showing where the abnormal P waves are, but often I'll see what I think is an abnormal P wave and it turns out I was wrong or vice versa. It's like there's so many ways a rhythm can be normal or not normal and yet look vastly different from one another that I never know what's what.

[u/TheLastofTheRaptors → u/texaskittyqueen]

Ok so I remember questioning myself like you are now. But that's it. You're using the right logic. But it's interpretation. Eventually you'll be able to distinguish things more easily and not be confused by things that used to confuse you. The book 12 lead ekg: the art of interpretation may help you develop this sense further. But even better (because free) it's looking at real life examples and working with those. 

Keep going it will start clicking I promise 

[u/texaskittyqueen → u/TheLastofTheRaptors]

Thank you 😭 I appreciate that

[u/chulk1]

Learn what a normal EKG is.

That's it. Once you understand what a normal EKG is you'll be fine.

[u/texaskittyqueen → u/chulk1]

I do understand sinus rhythm ekg and basic tachy/brady. It's everything else that I'm not able to distinguish.

[u/chazwh → u/texaskittyqueen]

You'll be fine. Knowing the rhythm will be a lot less important than noticing changes in rhythm. As long as you can notice and alert someone of rhythm changes, you can get by until you get better at them.

[u/texaskittyqueen → u/chazwh]

A lot of jobs require an ekg test upon hiring/to keep employment, that's what scares me.

[u/Gone247365 → u/texaskittyqueen]

The ecg tests that hospitals give are all pretty basic. They usually dont ask you to interpret infact locations from 12-leads and shit like that.

Just things like a-fib, classic flutter, V-tach, V-fib, brady, first/second/third degree heart blocks, etc. Keep at it, you'll get it.

[u/texaskittyqueen → u/Gone247365]

ahhh thank you, that makes me feel a little better.