can a GP 'read' an ECG ok?

[backfromthebrink]

When I had my ECG done, it was done by the nurse at my GP's surgery. She said the doctor would then take a look at it and call me if anything abnormal about it. I didn't get a call, so I assume it was ok.

However, a GP isn't a cardiologist - do GPs know what to look for on ECGs? Bit worried it's all riding on this.

Is my GP practice doing the same thing that your/other GP practices are doing, by running ECGs themselves? You guys are not getting referred to cardiologists for resting ECGs, are you?

[nomorepanic]

I would say yes they are trained to read them

I have had one done at the doctor's before.

[Magic]

If you are anxious backfromthebrink you could ring the surgery up to see if ECG results have been checked.

[Dnvgraphics2k12]

Doctors are trained to read ecg even im trained to read them not all that hard i have had loads done at docs

Cameron

[joelhall]

We learned how to read ECGs at the beginning of our second year - standard ECG traces are quite easy to spot. And newer ECG machines even print notes at the top if there is an abnormal pattern on any of the graphs

[Caramel]

Yup, GP's are more than qualified, so don't worry. Xx Would have been nice of them to give you a call back though lol!

[backfromthebrink]

Thanks guys, well after the one I had at my GP's, I had another done as part of my pre-op assessment for a laparoscopy (checked by anaesthetist) and then I had a 3rd one done when I went to a CRY free cardiac screening (checked by cardiologist!). All were normal. Still get chest pains sometimes, but the cardiologist thought it was chest wall pain. It can happen when resting just as much if not more than exercising.

[peediedj67]

i had one last week and the nurse who did it read it there and then and said everything was ok