The Procedure
Protocol:
1. Collect your equipment, introduce yourself to the patient, confirm their identity, explain what you are about to do, and obtain consent. Wash your hands.
2. The ECG machine needs to be calibrated to run at a speed of 25 mm/s and a sensitivity of 1mV = 10 mm (1 cm). Two useful facts to know!
3. The patient should be comfortable (so they can sit as still as possible to ensure a smooth tracing) and should be undressed down to waist level.
4. The leads should be attached as follows:
Limb leads:
- Lead I: Right Arm (Ride = Red)
- Lead Il: Left Arm (Your = Yellow)
- Lead III: Left Leg (Green = Green)
- (Bike = Black)
Limb leads labelling:
- AVR: towards Right Arm
- AVL: towards Left Arm
- AVF: towards Left leg
Chest leads:
- V1: 4th intercostal space to right of sternal edge
- V2: 4th intercostal space to left of sternal edge
- V3: half-way on a line joining V2 to V4
- V4: 5th intercostal space, mid-clavicular line (at the apex)
- V5: same horizontal level as V4, in anterior axillary line
- V6: same horizontal level as V4 & V5, in midaxillary line
5. Make sure you know how to interpret what you record! See our guide to interpreting ECGs for more information.
