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What Does This EKG Test Result Indicate?
Question: Hello,
I recently purchased a Vernier EKG sensor. (Vernier makes over 50 different types of scientific sensors; they are sold primarily to high schools and middle schools.) Their EKG sensor has three connecting wires which they label as: Red/+ Green/- Black/reference
Their written procedure says to connect their (ridiculously inadequate non-metal) electrodes, to the subject's inside upper arms, with the Black/reference wire connected at the right writs. This produces a weak and noisy signal. So I purchased 3M Red Dot metal snap/gel electrodes and have attached them to my upper right and left chest area, and on my lower left side. And I consistently get a clean, "normal-looking" sinus rhythm tracing. The problem I'm having, and my question to you, regards the results I'm getting when I use the same configuration on another person -- specifically, my Dad. (Seeing what happens on a third person would be a great test. But I just don't have anyone else I can get to right now.)
I've posted a YouTube video, which is actually just 5 seconds of a still image with no audio, and it includes: one 6-second section of one of my normal-looking EKGs; and three 6-second sections of three different EKGs I've done with my Dad. ( Here is the link: http://youtu.be/OsS4Tz-YWvY )
Now, I will go ahead and mention that this past month, my Dad experienced his first sustained Afib. episode (at least two weeks). He was already on amiodarone, metoprolol, and lisinopril, and when this happened his doctor uped his amiodarone dose to 200 mg and increased the metoprolol. I'm only mentioning these details to make sure you have the information you might need to diagnose "my EKG competence" and not my Dad's health or heart condition. He has a great cardiologist and an incredible primary care doctor -- I'm not asking to diagnose him or his condition in any way.
Also included in the video image, is a diagram showing how I have placed the electrodes on myself and on my Dad. And there is one other image of the Vernier EKG sensor.
I have searched extensively for an answer to my question which is, "Why does the tracing I'm getting with my Dad not look anything like it should look (i.e. P wave, QRS complex, T wave, etc.). And I KNOW someone in Afib isn't going to produce a normal-looking EKG, but what I'm seeing doesn't even look like any Afib EKGs I've found online either.
So, I will appreciate any help or direction you might be able to give me regarding this conundrum.
Thank you very much.
XXXXXX
YYYY@YYYY
I recently purchased a Vernier EKG sensor. (Vernier makes over 50 different types of scientific sensors; they are sold primarily to high schools and middle schools.) Their EKG sensor has three connecting wires which they label as: Red/+ Green/- Black/reference
Their written procedure says to connect their (ridiculously inadequate non-metal) electrodes, to the subject's inside upper arms, with the Black/reference wire connected at the right writs. This produces a weak and noisy signal. So I purchased 3M Red Dot metal snap/gel electrodes and have attached them to my upper right and left chest area, and on my lower left side. And I consistently get a clean, "normal-looking" sinus rhythm tracing. The problem I'm having, and my question to you, regards the results I'm getting when I use the same configuration on another person -- specifically, my Dad. (Seeing what happens on a third person would be a great test. But I just don't have anyone else I can get to right now.)
I've posted a YouTube video, which is actually just 5 seconds of a still image with no audio, and it includes: one 6-second section of one of my normal-looking EKGs; and three 6-second sections of three different EKGs I've done with my Dad. ( Here is the link: http://youtu.be/OsS4Tz-YWvY )
Now, I will go ahead and mention that this past month, my Dad experienced his first sustained Afib. episode (at least two weeks). He was already on amiodarone, metoprolol, and lisinopril, and when this happened his doctor uped his amiodarone dose to 200 mg and increased the metoprolol. I'm only mentioning these details to make sure you have the information you might need to diagnose "my EKG competence" and not my Dad's health or heart condition. He has a great cardiologist and an incredible primary care doctor -- I'm not asking to diagnose him or his condition in any way.
Also included in the video image, is a diagram showing how I have placed the electrodes on myself and on my Dad. And there is one other image of the Vernier EKG sensor.
I have searched extensively for an answer to my question which is, "Why does the tracing I'm getting with my Dad not look anything like it should look (i.e. P wave, QRS complex, T wave, etc.). And I KNOW someone in Afib isn't going to produce a normal-looking EKG, but what I'm seeing doesn't even look like any Afib EKGs I've found online either.
So, I will appreciate any help or direction you might be able to give me regarding this conundrum.
Thank you very much.
XXXXXX
YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
I have looked at your youtube of the EKGs you have recorded. The second one of your father shows the typical atrial fibrillation characteristics of irregular R to R wave intervals and absence of P waves. It is harder to see on the first and third EKGs. What is clear is that the rate is slowing down as the medications are increased (longer R to R intervals) and this is a good thing.
There are two big concerns with atrial fibrillation, one is fast heart rate which can stress the heart and cause problems. The second is that the irregular beating of the atria can be a set up for thrombi (clots) to form and then they can go to the brain and cause a stroke. It is also very common for patients to have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation where they are in atrial fib at some times and not at others. This is still a big concern for stroke and why most patients with atrial fibrillation are anti-coagulated for their lifetime. It would be a good idea for you to show the EKGs you record to the cardiologist for further interpretation.
Thank you for using HCM.
Regards,
paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
I have looked at your youtube of the EKGs you have recorded. The second one of your father shows the typical atrial fibrillation characteristics of irregular R to R wave intervals and absence of P waves. It is harder to see on the first and third EKGs. What is clear is that the rate is slowing down as the medications are increased (longer R to R intervals) and this is a good thing.
There are two big concerns with atrial fibrillation, one is fast heart rate which can stress the heart and cause problems. The second is that the irregular beating of the atria can be a set up for thrombi (clots) to form and then they can go to the brain and cause a stroke. It is also very common for patients to have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation where they are in atrial fib at some times and not at others. This is still a big concern for stroke and why most patients with atrial fibrillation are anti-coagulated for their lifetime. It would be a good idea for you to show the EKGs you record to the cardiologist for further interpretation.
Thank you for using HCM.
Regards,
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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