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10 Common Heart Diseases: ECG Changes + Full ECG Interpretation Guide
PART 1 - SYSTEMATIC ECG INTERPRETATION (14-Step Approach)
Before diagnosing any condition, every ECG should be analysed in this order. Skipping steps is the most common source of missed diagnoses.
"Many mistakes in ECG interpretation are errors of omission. Therefore, a systematic approach is essential." - Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 22E
Step 1 - Standardisation & Technical Quality
- Standard calibration: 10 mm = 1 mV (check the calibration marker at the start of the strip)
- Paper speed: 25 mm/sec (standard); each small box = 0.04 s; each large box = 0.2 s
- Check for: lead reversal, poor contact, patient movement artifact, correct lead placement
- Low-amplitude calibration (5 mm = 1 mV) halves all voltages - can mimic low-voltage states
Step 2 - Heart Rate
Quick method: Count large boxes between R-R interval → divide 300 by that number
| Large boxes (R-R) | Rate (bpm) |
|---|
| 1 | 300 |
| 2 | 150 |
| 3 | 100 |
| 4 | 75 |
| 5 | 60 |
| 6 | 50 |
- Normal: 60-100 bpm
- Tachycardia: >100 bpm
- Bradycardia: <60 bpm
- For irregular rhythms: count QRS complexes in a 10-second strip × 6
Step 3 - Rhythm
Ask three questions:
- Where is the pacemaker? - Is there a P wave before every QRS? Is it positive in II and negative in aVR? (= sinus origin)
- Is conduction normal? - Does every P wave conduct through to the QRS?
- Is the rhythm regular? - Are RR intervals constant?
| Finding | Interpretation |
|---|
| P wave (+) in II, (–) in aVR, before every QRS | Normal sinus rhythm |
| No P waves, irregular RR | Atrial fibrillation |
| Saw-tooth flutter waves at ~300 bpm | Atrial flutter |
| P waves present but no relation to QRS | Complete (3rd degree) AV block |
| Narrow QRS tachycardia, no visible P waves | AVNRT / junctional tachycardia |
| Wide QRS tachycardia, AV dissociation | Ventricular tachycardia |
Step 4 - PR Interval
- Normal: 120-200 ms (3-5 small boxes)
- Short PR (<120 ms): pre-excitation (WPW), junctional rhythm
- Long PR (>200 ms): 1st degree AV block
- Progressively lengthening PR: Mobitz I (Wenckebach)
- PR depression (below isoelectric line): pericarditis (atrial injury current)
Step 5 - QRS Duration
- Normal: 80-120 ms (2-3 small boxes)
-
120 ms = bundle branch block or ventricular conduction delay
LBBB: Wide QRS, broad monophasic R in I/V5/V6, QS in V1, no septal Q waves
RBBB: Wide QRS, RSR' ("rabbit ears") in V1, wide S in I/V5/V6
Step 6 - QT / QTc Interval
- Measured from start of QRS to end of T wave
- Normal QTc: <440 ms (men), <460 ms (women) - corrected by Bazett formula: QTc = QT / √RR
- Prolonged QTc: Risk of Torsades de Pointes (polymorphic VT)
- Causes: drugs (quinidine, amiodarone, antipsychotics), hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, congenital LQTS
Step 7 - Mean QRS Electrical Axis
Normal axis lies between -30° and +90° in the frontal plane.
| Axis | Leads I & aVF | Causes |
|---|
| Normal (0° to +90°) | Both positive | Normal |
| Left axis deviation (<-30°) | I positive, aVF negative | LAFB, LVH, inferior MI, HCM |
| Right axis deviation (>+90°) | I negative, aVF positive | RVH, PE, RBBB, lateral MI, WPW |
| Extreme axis ("northwest") | Both negative | VT, severe hyperkalemia |
Step 8 - P Waves
- Normal: <0.12 s duration, <2.5 mm amplitude, upright in II, inverted in aVR
- P mitrale (broad, notched P in II, biphasic in V1 with wide terminal negative deflection): Left atrial enlargement (mitral stenosis, LVF)
- P pulmonale (tall, peaked P >2.5 mm in II): Right atrial enlargement (COPD, pulmonary hypertension, PE)
- Absent P waves: AF, junctional rhythm, hyperkalemia
Step 9 - QRS Voltages
LVH criteria:
- Sokolow-Lyon: SV1 + RV5 or RV6 ≥ 35 mm
- Cornell: RaVL + SV3 >28 mm (men), >20 mm (women)
Low voltage (<5 mm in limb leads, <10 mm in precordial leads):
- Causes: pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, restrictive/infiltrative cardiomyopathy (amyloidosis), hypothyroidism, obesity, COPD
Step 10 - Precordial R-Wave Progression
- Normal: R waves increase from V1 to V5/V6 (R/S ratio >1 by V3-V4)
- Poor R-wave progression (R waves fail to grow or remain small V1-V4):
- Anterior MI, dilated cardiomyopathy, LBBB, RVH, obesity, COPD
Step 11 - Abnormal Q Waves
- Septal q waves (small, narrow, <0.04 s, <25% of R height) in I, aVL, V5-V6 = normal
- Pathological Q waves (≥0.04 s duration OR ≥25% of R height) = transmural infarction or scar
- Q waves in aVR are always normal
Step 12 - ST Segments
- Normal: isoelectric (at baseline between J-point and T wave)
- ST elevation: STEMI, pericarditis, Brugada, early repolarization, LV aneurysm, vasospasm
- ST depression: Subendocardial ischemia, NSTEMI, digoxin effect (sagging "reverse tick"), LBBB strain, RVH strain
- J-point: The junction between QRS and ST segment; elevation at the J-point with rapid upstroke = early repolarization (benign variant)
Step 13 - T Waves
- Normal: Upright in I, II, V2-V6; inverted in aVR; may be inverted in III, V1
- Hyperacute T waves (tall, broad, peaked): Early STEMI, hyperkalemia
- Symmetrical deep T-wave inversions: Ischemia, Wellens' pattern (critical LAD stenosis), PE (V1-V4), HCM, RVH
- Flat/inverted T waves: LVH with strain, digoxin, electrolyte disturbance
Step 14 - U Waves
- Small deflection after T wave, best seen in V2-V3
- Prominent U waves (U > T): Hypokalemia (classic), bradycardia, class IA antiarrhythmics
- Negative U waves: Ischemia, LVH
PART 2 - ECG INTERPRETATION IN EACH OF THE 10 HEART DISEASES
1. STEMI - Systematic Interpretation
| Parameter | Finding |
|---|
| Rate | Often normal or tachycardia (pain/sympathetic activation) |
| Rhythm | Sinus; watch for ventricular ectopy |
| PR interval | Normal (unless inferior MI involves AV node branch) |
| QRS duration | Normal initially; LBBB may develop |
| QRS axis | May shift depending on territory |
| P waves | Normal |
| QRS voltages | May decrease as myocardium dies |
| R-wave progression | Lost in anterior MI ("poor R-wave progression") |
| Q waves | Develop hours-days after onset (pathological Q waves in territory) |
| ST segments | ST elevation ≥1 mm in ≥2 contiguous leads (key diagnostic criterion) |
| T waves | Hyperacute (peaked, broad) early → later deep inversions |
| U waves | Normally not relevant |
Reading it: First confirm ST elevation in a territory. Then look for reciprocal ST depressions in opposite leads (confirms true elevation, not artifact). Then trace the evolution - hyperacute T → ST elevation → Q wave formation → T-wave inversion.
2. NSTEMI / Unstable Angina - Systematic Interpretation
| Parameter | Finding |
|---|
| Rate | Tachycardia possible |
| Rhythm | Sinus; AF may be precipitant |
| PR interval | Normal |
| QRS duration | Normal (unless prior LBBB/RBBB) |
| ST segments | ST depression ≥0.5 mm in ischemic territory; ST elevation in aVR ≥1 mm |
| T waves | Symmetrical deep T-wave inversions (Wellens' pattern in V1-V4 = critical LAD) |
| Q waves | Absent (no full thickness necrosis) |
Reading it: The absence of ST elevation does not exclude ACS. Deep, symmetric T-wave inversions in V1-V4 (Wellens' sign) indicate the LAD is critically narrowed and is a pre-infarction warning requiring urgent catheterisation.
3. Atrial Fibrillation - Systematic Interpretation
| Parameter | Finding |
|---|
| Rate | Ventricular rate variable: 100-160 (uncontrolled), <80 (rate-controlled) |
| Rhythm | Irregularly irregular - the hallmark |
| P waves | Absent - replaced by irregular fibrillatory baseline (f waves, >350 bpm) |
| PR interval | Not measurable (no P waves) |
| QRS duration | Usually narrow; wide if aberrant conduction or pre-existing BBB |
| ST/T | May show rate-related depression at fast ventricular rates |
Reading it: Confirm (1) no organised P waves, (2) irregular baseline between QRS complexes, (3) irregularly irregular QRS complexes. If QRS is wide and very fast (>200 bpm) in AF, suspect WPW with conduction via accessory pathway - a life-threatening emergency.
4. AV Heart Block - Systematic Interpretation
Work through the PR interval and P:QRS ratio methodically:
| Degree | Rate | Rhythm | PR | P:QRS | QRS |
|---|
| 1st degree | Normal | Regular | >200 ms, constant | 1:1 | Normal |
| 2nd degree Mobitz I | Normal/slow | Irregular (grouped beats) | Progressively ↑ then dropped beat | Some P waves not conducted | Normal (usually) |
| 2nd degree Mobitz II | Normal/slow | Regular with pauses | Constant PR, sudden dropped QRS | Some P waves not conducted | Often wide (RBBB/LBBB) |
| 3rd degree (complete) | Slow (20-60 bpm) | Regular (escape rhythm) | No relationship between P and QRS | AV dissociation | Wide (ventricular escape) or narrow (junctional) |
Reading it: Count the P waves and QRS complexes separately. If there are more P waves than QRS complexes, there is AV block. In complete block, the PP interval and RR interval are each regular but independent of each other.
5. Acute Pericarditis - Systematic Interpretation
| Parameter | Finding |
|---|
| Rate | Sinus tachycardia (pain/fever) |
| Rhythm | Sinus; AF possible |
| PR segment | PR depression in most leads (II, V4-V6); PR elevation in aVR - pathognomonic of atrial injury |
| ST segments | Diffuse, concave-up ("saddle-shaped") ST elevation in almost all leads except aVR/V1 (ST depression there) |
| T waves | Initially upright; later diffuse T-wave inversions after ST normalises |
| Q waves | Absent (no myocardial necrosis) |
Reading it: The "saddle-shape" of ST elevation (concave upward, like a smile) differs from the convex/tombstone ST elevation of STEMI. PR depression in II is the most specific sign. Involvement of nearly all leads without a clear vascular territory distinguishes it from MI. The 4 stages:
- Stage 1: PR depression + diffuse ST elevation
- Stage 2: ST normalises, T waves flatten
- Stage 3: Diffuse T-wave inversions
- Stage 4: Full normalisation
6. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) - Systematic Interpretation
| Parameter | Finding |
|---|
| Rate | Normal; paroxysmal AF or VT possible |
| Rhythm | Sinus; atrial or ventricular ectopy |
| QRS axis | Left axis deviation common |
| QRS voltages | Markedly increased (LVH voltage criteria met) |
| Q waves | Abnormally deep, narrow Q waves in lateral leads (I, aVL, V5-V6) and inferior leads - from massive septal depolarisation, not infarction. Key distinguishing feature |
| ST/T | ST depression and T-wave inversions in lateral leads (strain pattern) |
| R-wave progression | Normal or exaggerated |
Reading it: Young patient with LVH + large septal Q waves in lateral leads without history of MI = HCM until proven otherwise. These Q waves are narrow (<40 ms) unlike the broad Q waves of infarction. Apical HCM (Yamaguchi type) produces giant T-wave inversions (>10 mm deep) in V3-V5 - a dramatic pattern.
7. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) - Systematic Interpretation
| Parameter | Finding |
|---|
| Rate | Tachycardia; AF very common |
| Rhythm | AF, ventricular ectopy (PVCs, NSVT) |
| PR interval | May be prolonged |
| QRS duration | Often widened - LBBB common (>120 ms with broad R in lateral leads, QS in V1) |
| QRS axis | Left axis deviation with LBBB |
| QRS voltages | May show LVH or, paradoxically, low voltage as myocardium is replaced by fibrosis |
| R-wave progression | Poor (flat or absent R waves V1-V4) |
| Q waves | Pseudo-infarct Q waves possible (from fibrosis) despite no coronary disease |
| ST/T | Diffuse nonspecific ST-T changes; secondary changes in leads with LBBB |
Reading it: DCM is a diagnosis of exclusion on ECG - the changes are non-specific. LBBB in a patient with heart failure symptoms is a red flag for DCM and may indicate need for cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT).
8. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy / Cardiac Amyloidosis - Systematic Interpretation
| Parameter | Finding |
|---|
| Rate | Normal or AF |
| Rhythm | AF; conduction disturbances |
| PR interval | May be prolonged (AV block) |
| QRS duration | Conduction delays; BBB |
| QRS voltages | Characteristically LOW (<5 mm in limb leads) - the most striking feature despite thick walls on echo |
| R-wave progression | Poor; pseudo-infarct pattern (QS complexes mimicking prior MI in V1-V4) |
| Q waves | Pseudo-infarct Q waves in multiple territories |
| ST/T | Non-specific changes |
Reading it: The "voltage-mass discordance" is the diagnostic clue - the echo shows thick walls (increased mass) but the ECG shows low voltage. In all other conditions that cause thick walls (hypertension, HCM), the ECG shows HIGH voltage. Low voltage + pseudo-infarct pattern + thick walls on echo = amyloidosis until proven otherwise.
9. Pulmonary Embolism (PE) - Systematic Interpretation
| Parameter | Finding |
|---|
| Rate | Sinus tachycardia (most common finding, ~40%) |
| Rhythm | AF possible; sinus tachycardia typical |
| QRS axis | Right axis deviation |
| P waves | P pulmonale - tall, peaked P in II (right atrial enlargement) |
| QRS duration | New RBBB - a sign of severe right ventricular strain, adverse prognosis |
| Q waves | Q wave in lead III (part of S1Q3T3) |
| ST/T | T-wave inversions in V1-V4 (right precordial leads, right ventricular strain pattern); T inversion in lead III |
| "S1Q3T3" | Deep S wave in lead I + Q wave in III + T-wave inversion in III = classic but only ~20% sensitivity |
Reading it: No single ECG finding confirms PE. The full picture matters: sinus tachycardia + new RBBB + right precordial T inversions + right axis deviation in a hypoxic patient = high suspicion for massive PE. The QR pattern in V1 (QS with no R, or small R) is associated with right ventricular strain and poor prognosis. Normal ECG does NOT exclude PE.
10. Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome - Systematic Interpretation
| Parameter | Finding |
|---|
| Rate | Normal in sinus rhythm; very fast during tachycardia |
| Rhythm | Sinus; paroxysmal SVT (AVRT), AF |
| PR interval | Short (<120 ms) - AV nodal delay bypassed |
| QRS duration | Widened (>120 ms) - fusion of accessory pathway and normal conduction |
| Delta wave | Slurred, slow upstroke at the beginning of the QRS in multiple leads - pathognomonic |
| QRS axis | Variable (right or left axis depending on accessory pathway location) |
| ST/T | Secondary ST-T changes (discordant to QRS/delta direction) |
| Pseudo-MI | Delta waves may produce pseudo-Q waves mimicking infarction |
Reading it: Short PR + delta wave + wide QRS = the WPW triad. During orthodromic AVRT (most common), the tachycardia is narrow-complex (conducts down the AV node, retrogradely up the accessory pathway) with retrograde P waves visible after the QRS. During AF with WPW: very rapid, irregular, wide-complex - can degenerate to VF. Never give AV nodal blocking agents (adenosine, verapamil) in AF with WPW - this can precipitate VF.
Master ECG Interpretation Checklist
1. Calibration & lead placement OK?
2. Heart rate: bradycardia / normal / tachycardia?
3. Rhythm: regular / irregular? P before every QRS?
4. PR interval: short / normal / prolonged?
5. QRS duration: narrow / wide?
6. QTc: normal / prolonged?
7. Axis: normal / LAD / RAD?
8. P waves: size, shape, morphology?
9. QRS voltages: LVH / low voltage?
10. R-wave progression: normal / poor?
11. Q waves: septal (normal) / pathological?
12. ST segments: isoelectric / elevated / depressed?
13. T waves: upright / inverted / hyperacute?
14. U waves: absent / prominent?
→ Compare with previous ECG
→ Correlate with clinical context
Sources: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 22E; Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology 26e; Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine; Braunwald's Heart Disease; Goldman-Cecil Medicine; Fuster and Hurst's The Heart 15e; Medical Physiology (Boron & Boulpaep)