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Original poster

ECG results

16 replies

randommangoandpear · 02/08/2023 16:01

I had an ECG this morning and unlike my ecg in a&e years ago which traced for 5-10 minutes, this only traced for 10-15 seconds.

Once finished, the nurse that conducted it checked the program on her computer and declared it a normal ECG.

Is this a thing now? The computer decides if it’s normal and it isn’t read manually by a doctor?

OP posts:

cptartapp · 02/08/2023 16:07

Ours trace for about 15 seconds and are then seen by a GP.

CornishGem1975 · 02/08/2023 16:08

Yes, that's right. I had one the other week in hospital and one last year in A&E and the trace was no more than 15 seconds. The cardiologist had the print out in front of him in my appointment.

Jobreveal · 02/08/2023 16:09

Yes it takes seconds.

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 02/08/2023 16:10

Why did you need the ECG? It doesn't take long for the machine to spot problems, and ECGs are routinely read by Paramedics and Nurses without doctors seeing them.

Beseen22 · 02/08/2023 16:12

It takes a second once you have a perfect trace. Perhaps the last time there was a bit of adjusting or holding muscles still to reduce artefact?

The machines pop up and say whether it's a normal ECG or abnormal. Where I work this would always be checked by a doctor or an appropriately trained nurse.

threecupsofteaminimum · 02/08/2023 16:14

I have a heart condition, including open heart surgery in my 30s, they take a good 20+ minutes for my yearly scan.

CornishGem1975 · 02/08/2023 16:18

threecupsofteaminimum · 02/08/2023 16:14

I have a heart condition, including open heart surgery in my 30s, they take a good 20+ minutes for my yearly scan.

ECG is not a scan. Do you mean echocardiogram?

cruffinsmuffin · 02/08/2023 16:24

10-15 seconds is an absolutely fine time for a standard 12 lead ECG.

The computer software (whilst not infallible) tends to over diagnose rather than under diagnose 😊

Original poster

randommangoandpear · 02/08/2023 16:27

@cruffinsmuffin I think it was a 6 lead. Does that change anything?

OP posts:

Original poster

randommangoandpear · 02/08/2023 16:32

@cruffinsmuffin Actually, maybe it was a 12. I think there were 8-10 leads.

OP posts:

cruffinsmuffin · 02/08/2023 16:42

randommangoandpear · 02/08/2023 16:32

@cruffinsmuffin Actually, maybe it was a 12. I think there were 8-10 leads.

If there were 10 physical electrodes on you it's a 12 lead ECG 😊 6 on your chest then one on each limb?

They're really efficient and quick at taking ECGs now, the machines / longer ECGs are great too but you can get a great 12 lead in 10-15 seconds.

Original poster

randommangoandpear · 02/08/2023 16:45

@cruffinsmuffin Hmm, I’m not sure how many were on my chest, I don’t think it was as many as six, but definitely one on each limb.

Should I be finding out? I’ve just read that a six lead isn’t as accurate as a 12 lead.

OP posts:

cruffinsmuffin · 02/08/2023 16:58

@randommangoandpear

If you had one on each limb, and some on your chest then it was probably 10 electrodes and a 12 lead ECG 😊 if you're not sure it's always worth ringing up to check.

The other ECGs that I know about are 3/5 lead ECGs that all involve chest electrodes only and no limb ones, so having them on your limbs and chest makes it sound like it was a 12 lead.

Original poster

randommangoandpear · 02/08/2023 16:59

@cruffinsmuffin thanks. They were defo on each limb, then under boob and some above boob. Most likely a 12 then!

Was just surprised by how short it was,
but it sounds like that is normal.

OP posts:

cruffinsmuffin · 02/08/2023 17:01

@randommangoandpear

Yes monitoring ECGs are much longer but the regular 12 leads can be super short 😊 where I used to work any nurse would be happy to talk you through any queries on it so if you do want to check I'm sure someone would be able to look for you.

Original poster

randommangoandpear · 02/08/2023 17:35

@cruffinsmuffin Thanks for the info! I’ve just read online that the software “analysis” is mostly useless and almost always wrong!! Does that mean my “normal” result can’t be trusted? 😳

OP posts:

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