Cardiac Rhythms | Lessons and Practice Strips

Cardiac Rhythms and EKG Overview

Study of a patient's cardiac rhythms using an EKG may indicate normal or abnormal conditions. Abnormal rhythms are called arrhythmia or sometimes, dysrhythmia. Arrhythmia is an abnormally slow or fast heart rate or an irregular cardiac rhythm. During a single heart beat, several electrical events occur. These events are part of an EKG tracing and are called P, Q, R, S, T and U.

The first movement of the ECG tracing (usually upwards) is the P wave, indicating electrical activity that triggers atrial contraction. The QRS complex indicates ventricular depolarization and contraction and are usually of greater amplitude than the P wave. The PR interval indicates the electrical signal traveling from the sinus node to the ventricles.

T wave is normally a smaller (than QRS) upwards waveform, indicating ventricular repolarization.

Cardiac Rhythm Strip Reference Guide

Our rhythm strips guide provides information on essential dysrhythmia categories:

Atrial
- Premature Atrial Contractions
- Atrial Flutter
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia
- Wandering Atrial Pacemaker
Junctional
- Junctional Rhythm
- Junctional Tachycardia
- Premature Junctional Contraction
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular
- Premature Ventricular Contractions (several type of)
- Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
- Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Heart Blocks
- First Degree Heart Block
- Second Degree Heart Block, Type 1 - Mobitz I
- Second Degree Heart Block, Type 2 - Mobitz II
- Third Degree Heart Block
Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome

For each cardiac rhythm category we provide one or more ECG tracings. A synopsis of the cardiac rhythm (dysrhythmia) is provided and electronic calipers can be used to study each tracing.

Cardiac Rhythms Strip Guide

Cardiac Rhythms - Training Tools

Learn about cardiac rhythms using these tools:

Cardiac Rhythm Strips Drills
Rhythms Quiz
ECG Guide
Basic Training Lessons

Each of these training methods is summarized below.

EKG Lessons

A basic EKG course is available using the link below. Essential ECG features are explained along with step-by-step analysis techniques. This includes rhythm evaluation, determining heart rate and assessing multiple components of the EKG waveform. Cardiac rhythm strip exercises provide interactive learning reinforcement.

EKG Strips Lessons

Cardiac Rhythms Strips and Drills

Users are challenged to identify each type of arrhythmia based upon the cardiac rhythm strip. After each answer, immediate feedback and coaching is available.

Cardiac Rhythm Strip Drill

External References

Johns Hopkins Medicine
Cardiac Rhythms Lectures by EKG Academy