12 Lead ECG

12-lead ECG is the only way to tell if there is something going on with the heart, that shouldn't be happening. This includes, bundle branch block (BBB), ST Elevation (aka MI), and others. It's important to know and understand how to set up and use a 12-lead ECG monitor. In addition, it's important to know and understand issues that occur in the heart, including the BBB and MI. During the lectures of 12-leads, it's a great idea to take a 12-lead printout, and color-code it. By color coding a 12-lead, you will be able to identify where an MI is occurring.

When trying to diagnose a patient in having an MI (myocardial infarction/heart attack), you want to try to locate any ST elevation. What you will notice on the ECG printout is that the ST-segment will be above the isoelectric line. Any ST elevation should be considered as the patient having an MI.

Basically, a patient with an active MI is having part of the heart's tissue dying. The dying tissue is caused by oxygen not reaching the certain part of the heart. In order to have an MI, there will be a a reduction in oxygen to the certain area, also called ishemia. If the ishemia continues, you will than lead into infarct.


Here, we will break down the ECG printout with color-coding and identifying which colors indicate which area of the heart is having the infarct.


[picture coming soon]