Scans and heart tests
ECG (EKG) report explainer
The top of an ECG printout carries a block of measurements and a few short interpretation lines, often produced by the machine itself. Add that text below to see each measurement named and each statement explained.
Explain your ECG (EKG) report
- 1. Add itDrop a PDF, take a photo or paste the text.
- 2. Check itPersonal details are removed on your device. You approve what is sent.
- 3. Read itSummary, table of results, terms and questions to ask.
The explainer opens on its own page with no adverts and no outside scripts. Your file is read on your device and is never uploaded.
What you get
- Heart rate, intervals and axis values listed with their names in full.
- Each interpretation line restated in ordinary words.
- Machine-generated and unconfirmed statements pointed out as such.
- Questions to ask the doctor who reviews the ECG.
What the printed text contains
- Ventricular rateHeartbeats per minute
- PR interval, QRS duration and QT/QTcThe timing of different parts of each heartbeat, in milliseconds
- AxisThe overall direction of the heart's electrical activity, in degrees
- Sinus rhythmThe heartbeat is starting from the heart's usual pacemaker
- Nonspecific changesA variation that does not point to one particular cause
- UnconfirmedThe statement came from the machine and has not yet been checked by a doctor
What this tool cannot tell you
MedicDecode reads the printed words and numbers only. It cannot see or interpret the tracing itself, and automated ECG statements are often revised when a doctor reviews them. Never use this to decide whether symptoms are serious. If you have chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations with dizziness, or fainting, call your local emergency number.
Common questions
Can it read the waveform on my ECG?
No. It only explains the text and measurements printed with it. Reading the tracing needs a trained clinician.
What does borderline ECG mean?
It is a standard machine phrase for a tracing that is neither clearly normal nor clearly abnormal by the machine's rules. A doctor's review decides whether anything about it matters.
What is QTc?
It is the QT interval adjusted for heart rate, so that it can be compared with a standard range.
Words you may see on this report
Tap a word for its plain-English meaning, an example line and what it does not mean.
- Atelectasis
Atelectasis means part of a lung is not fully expanded, so the small air sacs there are partly or completely deflated.
- BI-RADS
BI-RADS is a scoring system from 0 to 6 used on mammogram, breast ultrasound and breast MRI reports to describe findings and next steps.
- Cardiomegaly
Cardiomegaly means the heart looks larger than expected, usually on a chest X-ray, and it is a description rather than a diagnosis.
- Clinical correlation
Clinical correlation means the radiologist is asking your doctor to compare the scan with your symptoms, examination and other tests.
- Consolidation
Consolidation on a chest scan means part of the lung that is normally filled with air is filled with something else, such as fluid or pus.
- Contrast
Contrast is a dye given before or during a scan to make blood vessels and certain tissues show up more clearly.
- Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac with a thin wall that usually holds fluid, and simple cysts seen on scans are very common and usually harmless.
- Degenerative changes
Degenerative changes means wear-and-tear changes in joints or the spine that commonly happen with age and use.
- Disc bulge
A disc bulge means a spinal disc extends a little beyond its normal edge, usually evenly around a wide area. It is very common.
- Effusion
An effusion is extra fluid that has collected in a space in the body, such as around the lungs, in a joint or around the heart.
- Ejection fraction
Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood the heart's main pumping chamber pushes out with each beat. It is one measure of heart pumping.
- Enhancement
Enhancement means an area becomes brighter on a scan after contrast dye is given, which shows it has a blood supply.
Medicines connected to this test
Their official labels mention this kind of test. Each is explained in plain English.
- Atenolol
a beta-blocker (beta-adrenergic blocker). The label describes it as a beta 1-selective, or cardioselective, blocking agent.
- Atorvastatin
a statin, a cholesterol-lowering medicine of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor type
- Carvedilol
A beta-blocker. The FDA lists it as both an alpha-adrenergic blocker and a beta-adrenergic blocker.
- Dapagliflozin
a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, a type of diabetes medicine
- Diclofenac Sodium
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The FDA class is not listed on the label.
- Enalapril
An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
- Furosemide
A loop diuretic, a type of medicine that helps the body get rid of extra fluid through urine
- Loperamide
a synthetic antidiarrheal medicine