Advanced Electrocardiogram (ECG) Interpretation

(Previously called Executive Electrocardiogram Education)

ratings icon 5.0 (7 Reviews)
ratings icon 28 Videos
ratings icon 22 Quizzes
ratings icon 5.5 Hours
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This course teaches advanced ECG reading and a detailed step-by-step approach to ECG interpretation. You will learn all ECG criteria as well as physiology. Best of all, you will learn how to read ECGs from start to finish in an easy, organized manner. The course is divided into short, easily managed videos, and a self-assessment quiz accompanies each lesson. You will learn all of this in 5.5 hours and be able to re-watch each section as many times as you want to solidify your understanding. Advanced ECG Interpretation pairs well with Advanced Arrhythmia Interpretation and can be bundled for a 15% savings. Other bundles are also available.

More About This Course

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Advanced Electrocardiogram (ECG) Interpretation is best for those serious about reading ECGs. It is significantly more detailed than the basic courses; however, it is presented in a manner that even novices will understand. You will learn ECG criteria and a systematic approach to reading ECGs from start to finish.

Advanced ECG Interpretation is a 5.5 hours course with ECG criteria, ECG reading guidelines, and practice ECGs. In total, there are 28 short videos. Each section can be re-watched as many times as you want to help solidify your understanding. The course is accessible 24/7 on any device for an entire year. Videos are succinct, with detailed illustrations and audio descriptions that go at a gentle pace for better comprehension. The videos are set up to feel as if a cardiologist is giving you one-on-one instruction.

Advanced ECG Interpretation includes a Certificate of Completion, which can be presented to your workplace or institution to demonstrate competency. Advanced ECG Interpretation pairs well with Advanced Arrhythmia Interpretation and can be bundled for a 15% savings. Other bundles are also available. This course is also available for Category 1 AMA and AOA Continuing Medical Education Credits (please see our CME Courses and Bundle.)

Topics Include:

  • ECG basics
  • ECG Calibration
  • The ECG waves (P, Q, QRS, ST, and T)
  • Intervals (PR, QRS, and QT)
  • Impulse conduction through the heart
  • Determining the heart rate
  • Lead placement
  • Axis determination (P, QRS, and T axes)
  • ECG layout
  • Atrial abnormalities
  • Ventricular hypertrophy
  • Bundle branch blocks
  • Fascicular blocks
  • Myocardial ischemia
  • Myocardial injury
  • Myocardial infarction
  • ST and T wave changes
    •  Primary ST and T wave changes
    •  Secondary ST and T wave changes
  • QT interval
  • Pericarditis
  • Central nervous system effects
  • Dextrocardia
  • Electrolyte abnormalities
  • Drug effects
  • Hypothermia
  • Preexcitation and Wolff Parkinson White (WPW)
  • Lead reversal
  • Transition
  • Poor R wave progression
  • Low QRS voltage
  • R on T ventricular complexes
  • Brugada syndrome
  • Short PR intervals
  • ECG changes with pulmonary emboli
  • ECG changes with pulmonary disease
  • Electrical alternans
  • Epsilon waves
  • ECG changes with defibrillators
  • Early repolarization
  • Artifact
  • A detailed step-by-step approach to reading an ECG
  • Practice ECGs with detailed explanations of findings
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What's Covered In This Course?

  • All ECG Criteria and Physiology
  • A Step-by-Step Approach to Reading ECGs
  • Practice ECG demonstrating the Reading System
  • Self-Assessment Quizzing
  • Learn ECG Interpretation in only 5 1/2 Hours
  • Certificate of Completion

Course Syllabus

1. Advanced Electrocardiogram (ECG) Interpretation (AEI-W1)

ECG Fundamentals - Advanced ECG Interpretation ECG/Arrhythmia Fundamentals - Advanced Arrhythmia Interpretation Atrial Abnormalities and Ventricular Hypertrophy - Advanced ECG Interpretation Bundle Branch Blocks and Fascicular Blocks - Advanced ECG Interpretation Ischemia / Injury / Infarction / ST and T Changes - Advanced ECG Interpretation Other ECG Criteria - Advanced ECG Interpretation
QT Interval (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews the QT Interval. Topics include correctly measuring the QT interval, correcting the QT interval for the heart rate (QTc), and causes of prolonged and short QT intervals.

9:53
Pericarditis (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews the ECG changes associated with pericarditis.

2:00
Central Nervous System Effects on the ECG (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews the ECG changes seen with central nervous system abnormalities (in particular, intracranial hemorrhages).

2:04
Dextrocardia (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews the ECG changes associated with dextrocardia.

5:07
Electrolyte Abnormalities (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews the ECG criteria for electrolyte abnormalities including hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hypocalcemia. Sodium and magnesium abnormalities are touched upon.

8:33
Drug Effects (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews ECG changes associated with digoxin, and antiarrhythmic agents. It also reviews medications that can prolong the QT interval.

9:58
Hypothermia (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews the ECG changes associated with hypothermia.

2:01
Preexcitation and Wolff Parkinson White [WPW] (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews ECG changes associated with preexcitation, Wolff Parkinson White (WPW Syndrome, Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachyarrhythmias (AVRT), and Atrioventricular Nodal-Type Bypass Tracts.

8:07
Lead Reversal (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews the ECG characteristics of lead reversal. This includes: arm lead reversal and arm/leg lead reversal.

11:28
Transition (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews transition. This includes the definitions and causes of normal transition, early transition and late transition.

4:13
Poor R Wave Progression (PRWP) (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews poor R wave progression and R wave reversal. It goes through an algorithm that can be used to determine the cause of poor R wave progression and show multiple ECGs as examples.

9:08
Miscellaneous ECG Findings 1 ((AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews ECG topics not found in other chapters. These include: Non-specific ST and T changes; Low QRS voltage; R on T ventricular complexes; Brugada syndrome; Short PR intervals; ECG changes with pulmonary emboli; ECG changes considered pulmonary disease pattern; Electrical alternans; Interpolated premature ventricular complexes; Compensatory and non-compensatory pauses; Epsilon waves; Changes on the ECG from an internal cardiac defibrillator.

21:45
Miscellaneous ECG Findings 2 (AEI-W1)

This chapter reviews ECG topics not found in other chapters. These include: Early repolarization; and artifact.

6:01
Guidelines to ECG Reading and Practice ECGs - Advanced ECG Interpretation

Who This Course Is For

Advanced ECG Interpretation is for all medical providers who need to learn to interpret ECG accurately. Additionally, it is also ideal for all medical providers who want to hone their ECG reading skills and be able to show competency to their institution or workplace. This is a non-CME course; however, a CME version is available.

Best for:

  • Medical Residents
  • Cardiology Fellows
  • Attending Physicians
  • Nurse Practitioners and Physicians Assistants wanting more than just basic ECG reading skills
  • Medical Students wanting more than just basic ECG reading skills

Sample Course Videos

online ecg interpretation course samples
Lead Placement and ECG Setup – Sample Watch Preview
online ecg interpretation course samples
Atrial Fibrillation - Sample Watch Preview
online ecg interpretation course samples
Atrial Abnormalities/enlargement - Sample Watch Preview
online ecg interpretation course samples
How to Read ECGs - Sample Watch Preview

Feedback From Our Subscribers

Alan Ghaly, DO, FACC Verified Subscriber
five star rating
Informative and easy to understand!

I had the pleasure of being lectured about electrocardiogram interpretation by Dr. Siegal during my cardiology training. Dr. Siegal captured these lectures in videos for self-education and training. They are informative and easy to understand in a field where ECG interpretations can be intimidating. I wish I had these videos during my medical school and training years.

V. Richardson Verified Subscriber
five star rating
Great visual examples

The videos are great for people who are visual and audio learners. They go at a pace that is easy to understand and there are good visual examples.

Michael Friedman, DO, Assistant Professor, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine Verified Subscriber
five star rating
Dr. Siegal shared his knowledge

"Dr. Siegal is a doctor's doctor. He has taken his clinical knowledge and experience and thankfully shared it with us in an informative and well written video."

C. Hughes Verified Subscriber
five star rating
More confident

After completing this course, I feel more confident in ECG interpretation. While still a novice, I now have the necessary tools to practice with interpretation in the clinical setting.

C. Hughes Verified Subscriber
five star rating
Better serve patients

This course was well organized and detailed. I appreciated you beginning with the basics. Axis determination is still difficult and I plan to rewatch several of the videos, but overall, I have certainly gained valuable knowledge and tools to better serve my patients. Thank you.

A. Romero Verified Subscriber
five star rating
Learned a lot

Learned a lot of new information on interpreting EKG’s

Brandy Hollabaugh, NP Verified Subscriber
five star rating
Best ECG Course I have taken!

Thank you for building a course that is easy to understand. The resource materials will be a great for reference moving forward. This is, by far, the best EKG course I have taken!

What Types of ECG Course Material Is Covered?

Our ECG interpretation course covers fundamentals and advanced topics in ECG interpretation and cardiac management.

Electrocardiogram Fundamentals

Fundamentals of electrocardiogram interpretation include basic ECG waveforms, lead placement, and ECG axis determination. After this section, students will be able to set up and take basic ECG readings while identifying constituent components of the ECG waveforms.

Atrial Abnormalities And Ventricular Hypertrophy

This section covers the ECG criteria for atria abnormalities and enlargement as well as the major ECG findings associated with left- and right ventricular hypertrophy. Students will learn about these conditions and how to recognize them easily on an ECG.

Bundle Branch Blocks and Fascicular Blocks

The section on bundle blocks and fascicular blocks concerns different types of impediments to electrical signaling in heart tissue. Students will cover left bundle branch blocks, right bundle branch blocks, incomplete bundle branch blocks, non-specific intraventricular conduction delays, as well as left anterior and left posterior fascicular blocks. By looking at the width of the QRS complexes and the QRS axis, you will easily identify these abnormalities.

Atrioventricular Blocks And Dissociation

Atrioventricular blocks come in three primary kinds:

  • First-Degree
  • Second-Degree (Mobitz Type I & II)
  • Third-Degree or Complete Heart Block (CHB)

These blocks occur due to interruptions in electrical activity between the atria and ventricles. This section will also cover atrioventricular dissociation—ECG patterns in which atrial and ventricular activity do not correlate.

Ischemia, Injury, Infarction, and ST & T Wave Changes

Ischemia (loss of blood flow), physical injury, and infarction (heart muscle death) can all affect ECG tracings. This section covers the general pathophysiology of these conditions and how they affect the electrical signals in the heart. Specifically, students will learn how these conditions cause Q waves and changes in ST & T segments of the waveform.

Normal and Abnormal Rhythms

Normal and abnormal cardiac rhythms are detected on electrocardiograms. Rhythms are named by the area in the heart from which they originated and a description of the heart rate. Students will learn about:

  • Sinus Rhythms: Rhythms originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node and typically consisting of P waves, QRS complexes, and T waves in succession.
  • Atrial Rhythms: Rhythms that originate from one or more ectopic sites within the atria. Here the P waves look unusual, but the QRS complexes and T waves look normal. Sometimes these rhythms appear to have an irregular pattern.
  • Junctional Rhythms: Rhythms that originate from the atrioventricular (AV) node. These rhythms typically lack P waves but have normal QRS complexes and T waves.
  • Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): SVT typically refers to fast rhythms that originate from the atrioventricular (AV) node. The QRS complexes and T waves are usually normal. The P waves may be absent or may be inverted and seen just after the QRS complexes.
  • Ventricular Arrhythmias: Rhythms that originate from ventricular tissue. Here, the QRS complexes are typically wide and bizarre-looking.

Additionally, students learn terms which include:

  • Bradycardia: Heart rates slower than the intrinsic rate of depolarization of a particular cardiac tissue (e.g., Junctional bradycardia)
  • Normal: Heart rates going at the intrinsic rate of depolarization of a particular cardiac tissue (e.g., Normal sinus rhythm)
  • Accelerated: Heart rhythms traveling faster than the intrinsic rate of depolarization of a particular cardiac tissue but slower than 100 beats per minute (e.g., Accelerated idioventricular rhythm)
  • Tachycardia: Heart rhythms between 100 and 250 beats per minute (e.g., Ventricular tachycardia)
  • Flutter: Heart rhythms between 250 and 350 beats per minute (e.g., Atrial flutter)
  • Fibrillation: Heart rhythms faster than 350 beats per minute (e.g., Ventricular fibrillation)

The QT Interval, Systemic Abnormalities, Electrolyte and Drug Effects, WPW, Lead Reversal, and Pacemakers

This section covers various abnormalities and systemic conditions that can affect an ECG reading. Things such as pacemakers, prescription drugs, and congenital abnormalities can all affect the cardiac conduction system and cause changes in an ECG. This chapter focuses on learning how one can identify these abnormalities via ECG readings.

Guidelines to ECG Interpretation and Practice ECGs

The last section contains a slew of practice ECG interpretation modules and guidelines on ECG interpretation. Learning the criteria is one thing, but this set of chapters explains the step-by-step approach that cardiologists use to read the ECG. All ECGs are interpreted from start to finish, and you will learn to read like this. Learning this systematic approach increases your ECG reading accuracy and provides the best patient care ever. Students will be able to take the skills in lectures and apply them to practical situations.

How Will the ECG Interpretation Course Benefit You?

Students will learn the fundamentals of ECG interpretation, including identifying abnormal rhythms, measuring intervals and waveforms. In addition to the ECG interpretation skills, medical professionals who complete the course may also see the following benefits:

Higher Pay

Medical professionals with specialized skills are in high demand. As an ECG-certified healthcare worker, you can command a higher salary than non-certified employees.

Career Advancement

As the general population ages, experts predict massive growth in the healthcare industry. Employers look for highly qualified individuals with specialized certifications. An ECG interpretation certification will help you stand out from other applicants.

Better Care

Our ECG courses incorporate anatomy and physiology to understand ECG interpretation. You do not just memorize criteria, but you learn why conditions cause the ECG abnormalities. Overall, this allows you to provide a higher quality of care, allowing for better patient outcomes.