EKG or electrocardiogram is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. It can help diagnose various heart conditions, such as arrhythmias, ischemia, and myocardial infarction. EKG is an essential skill for medical students, nurses, and practitioners who deal with cardiac patients. However, learning how to read and interpret EKGs can be challenging and confusing. That’s why having a good EKG book can make a big difference in your understanding and confidence.
In this article, We will review five of the best EKG books available in the market. I will highlight their pros and cons, as well as their main features and target audience. We will also provide a summary of each book and a rating out of five stars. :
- The Only EKG Book You’ll Ever Need by Malcolm S. Thaler
- ECG Made Easy by John R. Hampton
- ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- ECG 200 Cases by John R. Hampton and David Adlam
- Rapid Interpretation of EKGs by Dale Dubin
The Only EKG Book You’ll Ever Need by Malcolm S. Thaler
This book is one of the most popular and widely used EKG books in the world. It has been translated into several languages and has sold over a million copies. The author, Malcolm S. Thaler, is a cardiologist and an associate professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.
The book covers the basics of EKG interpretation, such as the normal cardiac cycle, the lead system, the axis, and the rate. It then explains the common abnormalities and disorders that can affect the EKG, such as atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, bundle branch blocks, ischemia, infarction, pericarditis, and electrolyte disturbances. The book also includes chapters on pediatric EKGs, pacemakers, stress testing, and cardiac catheterization.
The book is written in a clear and concise style, with plenty of diagrams, tables, and examples. The author uses humor and anecdotes to make the topic more engaging and memorable. The book also features self-assessment questions at the end of each chapter, as well as a comprehensive final exam at the end of the book.
Pros
- Easy to read and understand
- Covers all the essential topics
- Uses humor and anecdotes to make learning fun
- Includes self-assessment questions and a final exam
- Suitable for beginners and intermediate learners
Cons
- Some typos and errors in the text
- Some explanations are too brief or oversimplified
- Some topics are outdated or controversial
- Not enough practice cases or real-life scenarios
Summary
The Only EKG Book You’ll Ever Need is a great book for anyone who wants to learn the basics of EKG interpretation in a simple and enjoyable way. It covers all the important topics and provides plenty of examples and questions to test your knowledge. However, it may not be enough for advanced learners or those who want more depth and detail.
Rating: 4/5 stars
ECG Made Easy by John R. Hampton
This book is another classic and best-selling EKG book that has been around for over 40 years. It has been revised and updated several times to reflect the latest developments and guidelines in cardiology. The author, John R. Hampton, is a professor emeritus of cardiology at the University of Nottingham.
The book follows a logical and systematic approach to ECG interpretation. It starts with the basic principles of electricity, anatomy, physiology, and terminology. It then introduces the normal ECG pattern and how to measure it. It then progresses to the abnormal patterns and how to recognize them. It covers topics such as arrhythmias, conduction defects, hypertrophy, ischemia, infarction, drugs, electrolytes, and more. The book also includes a chapter on how to report an ECG and a glossary of terms.
The book is written in a clear and concise style, with minimal jargon and technicalities. It uses diagrams, tables, flowcharts, and mnemonics to illustrate the concepts and rules. It also provides numerous examples of real ECGs with explanations and interpretations. The book also features self-assessment questions at the end of each chapter.
Pros
- Clear and concise style
- Logical and systematic approach
- Covers all the essential topics
- Uses diagrams, tables, flowcharts, and mnemonics to aid learning
- Provides numerous examples of real ECGs with explanations
- Includes self-assessment questions
Cons
- Some typos and errors in the text
- Some explanations are too brief or vague
- Some topics are outdated or controversial
- Not enough practice cases or real-life scenarios
Summary
ECG Made Easy is a good book for anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of ECG interpretation in a clear and logical way. It covers all the important topics and provides many examples and questions to test your knowledge. However, it may not be enough for advanced learners or those who want more depth and detail.
Rating: 4/5 stars
ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
This book is part of the popular Made Incredibly Easy series that aims to make complex topics easy to understand and remember. The book is written by a team of nurses and educators who have experience in teaching and practicing ECG interpretation. The book is designed for nurses, students, and other health care professionals who need to learn ECG interpretation quickly and effectively.
The book covers the basics of ECG interpretation, such as the anatomy and physiology of the heart, the lead system, the normal ECG waveform, and the common measurements and calculations. It then explains the various types of arrhythmias, such as sinus, atrial, junctional, ventricular, and heart block. It also covers topics such as ischemia, infarction, electrolyte imbalances, drug effects, pacemakers, and more. The book also includes chapters on how to perform a 12-lead ECG, how to use a monitor and a defibrillator, and how to manage cardiac emergencies.
The book is written in a friendly and humorous style, with plenty of cartoons, illustrations, charts, and mnemonics. The book uses color-coded tabs and icons to highlight key points and tips. The book also features quizzes, puzzles, games, and case studies to reinforce learning and test your knowledge. The book also includes a quick reference guide and a practice test at the end of the book.
Pros
- Friendly and humorous style
- Covers all the essential topics
- Uses cartoons, illustrations, charts, and mnemonics to aid learning
- Features quizzes, puzzles, games, and case studies
- Includes a quick reference guide and a practice test
Cons
- Some typos and errors in the text
- Some explanations are too simplistic or inaccurate
- Some topics are outdated or controversial
- Not enough practice cases or real-life scenarios
Summary
ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy is a fun and easy book for anyone who wants to learn ECG interpretation in a short time. It covers all the important topics and provides many activities and questions to test your knowledge. However, it may not be enough for advanced learners or those who want more accuracy and detail.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
ECG 200 Cases by John R. Hampton and David Adlam
This book is a practical and interactive guide to ECG interpretation. It contains 200 cases of real ECGs with clinical histories and questions. The cases are arranged in order of difficulty, from simple to complex. The cases cover a wide range of topics, such as arrhythmias, conduction defects, hypertrophy, ischemia, infarction, drugs, electrolytes, and more. The book also includes a chapter on how to approach an ECG and a glossary of terms.
The book is written in a clear and concise style, with minimal jargon and technicalities. It uses diagrams, tables, and flowcharts to illustrate the concepts and rules. It also provides detailed answers and explanations for each case, with references to relevant guidelines and literature. The book also features tips and tricks to help you improve your ECG interpretation skills.
Pros
- Clear and concise style
- Practical and interactive approach
- Covers a wide range of topics
- Uses diagrams, tables, and flowcharts to aid learning
- Provides detailed answers and explanations for each case
- Includes tips and tricks to improve your skills
Cons
- Some typos and errors in the text
- Some explanations are too brief or vague
- Some topics are outdated or controversial
- Not enough practice cases or real-life scenarios
Summary
ECG 200 Cases is a useful book for anyone who wants to practice ECG interpretation with real cases. It covers a wide range of topics and provides detailed answers and explanations for each case. However, it may not be enough for advanced learners or those who want more depth and detail.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Rapid Interpretation of EKGs by Dale Dubin
This book is a classic and best-selling EKG book that has been around for over 50 years. It has been translated into several languages and has sold over 2 million copies. The author, Dale Dubin, is a cardiologist and a former professor of medicine at the University of South Florida.
The book follows a unique and innovative approach to EKG interpretation. It uses a step-by-step and interactive method that teaches you how to read and interpret EKGs from scratch. It starts with the basic concepts of electricity, anatomy, physiology, and terminology. It then introduces the normal ECG pattern and how to measure it. It then progresses to the abnormal patterns and how to recognize them. It covers topics such as arrhythmias, conduction defects, hypertrophy, ischemia, infarction, drugs, electrolytes, and more. The book also includes chapters on how to report an ECG and how to use a monitor and a defibrillator.
The book is written in a simple and easy-to-understand style, with minimal text and maximum visuals. It uses diagrams, cartoons, color codes, symbols, and mnemonics to illustrate the concepts and rules. It also provides numerous examples of real ECGs with explanations and interpretations. The book also features quizzes, exercises, games, and case studies to reinforce learning and test your knowledge. The book also includes a quick reference guide and a practice test at the end of the book.
Pros
- Simple and easy-to-understand style
- Unique and innovative approach
- Covers all the essential topics
- Uses diagrams, cartoons, color codes, symbols, and mnemonics to aid learning
- Provides numerous examples of real ECGs with explanations
- Features quizzes, exercises, games, and case studies
- Includes a quick reference guide and a practice test
Cons
- Some typos and errors in the text
- Some explanations are too simplistic or inaccurate
- Some topics are outdated or controversial
- Not enough practice cases or real-life scenarios
Summary
Rapid Interpretation of EKGs is an excellent book for anyone who wants to learn EKG interpretation from scratch in a simple and fun way. It covers all the important topics and provides many activities and questions to test your knowledge. However, it may not be enough for advanced learners or those who want more accuracy and detail.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Conclusion
EKG interpretation is a vital skill for anyone who works with cardiac patients. However, it can be a daunting and complex topic to learn. That’s why having a good EKG book can help you master the basics and improve your confidence. In this article, We have reviewed five of the best EKG books available in the market. Each book has its own strengths and weaknesses, as well as its own style and approach. Depending on your level of knowledge, your learning preferences, and your goals, you may find one book more suitable than another. Here is a summary of the ratings we gave to each book:
- The Only EKG Book You’ll Ever Need by Malcolm S. Thaler: 4/5 stars
- ECG Made Easy by John R. Hampton: 4/5 stars
- ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: 3.5/5 stars
- ECG 200 Cases by John R. Hampton and David Adlam: 4/5 stars
- Rapid Interpretation of EKGs by Dale Dubin: 4.5/5 stars
We hope this article has helped you choose the best EKG book for your needs. Happy learning! 😊