Your ECG Report, Translated

Most ECG reports contain standard descriptive phrases, not diagnoses. Several of the most alarming-sounding phrases are normal variants, and the meaning depends on your history, symptoms, medicines, and whether the finding is new.

The translator below explains the words. It does not decide whether your ECG is normal for you; that interpretation belongs with your GP or cardiologist.

ECG term translator

Find a term from your report

sinus rhythm

What the words meanThe heartbeat is starting from the heart's usual natural pacemaker.

Does this usually matter?It is usually the basic rhythm description clinicians expect to see, but the rest of the ECG still matters.

What usually happens nextA clinician reads the rest of the ECG and your clinical context. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

Full ECG term list

Term

Meaning

Does this usually matter?

What usually happens next?

sinus rhythm

The heartbeat is starting from the heart's usual natural pacemaker.

It is usually the basic rhythm description clinicians expect to see, but the rest of the ECG still matters.

A clinician reads the rest of the ECG and your clinical context. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

sinus bradycardia

Sinus rhythm, but slower than the reference range used by the report.

It is commonly a normal pattern during sleep, rest, fitness, or with some medicines, but symptoms matter.

The usual next step is to relate it to symptoms, medicines, and previous ECGs. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

sinus tachycardia

Sinus rhythm, but faster than the reference range used by the report.

It is often the heart's response to stress, fever, pain, dehydration, anxiety, or exertion.

The usual next step is to look for the reason for the faster rate. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

normal axis

The main electrical direction of the heartbeat sits in the expected range.

It is commonly a routine normal descriptor.

The rest of the ECG is still read alongside it. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

left axis deviation

The main electrical direction points more leftward than the report's reference range.

It can be longstanding or technical, but can also reflect heart structure or conduction patterns.

Clinicians usually compare old ECGs and the rest of the tracing. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

right axis deviation

The main electrical direction points more rightward than the report's reference range.

It can be a normal variant in some people, but context matters.

Clinicians usually compare symptoms, age, and previous ECGs. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

incomplete right bundle branch block

The right-sided electrical pathway is slightly delayed, but not fully blocked by ECG criteria.

It is commonly seen as a normal variant, especially when the rest of the ECG and history are reassuring.

The usual next step is clinical correlation rather than reading the phrase alone. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

right bundle branch block

The electrical signal reaches the right side of the heart later than usual.

It can be old and stable, or it can matter depending on symptoms, history, and whether it is new.

Clinicians usually compare prior ECGs and the reason the ECG was done. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

left bundle branch block

The electrical signal reaches the left side of the heart later than usual.

It is not usually treated as a simple normal variant, especially if it is new.

A clinician usually reviews old ECGs and decides whether further assessment is needed. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

first degree AV block

The signal from the top chambers to the bottom chambers takes longer than the report's reference range.

It is often stable and commonly seen with fitness, age, or medicines, but context matters.

The usual next step is to check symptoms, medicines, and previous ECGs. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

poor R wave progression

The chest-lead pattern does not increase in the usual way across the front of the chest.

It is commonly caused by lead position, but it can have other meanings in context.

Clinicians usually check lead placement, old ECGs, and the clinical story. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

low voltage

The ECG complexes are smaller than the report's reference range.

It may reflect body build, lung conditions, fluid, thyroid disease, or technical factors, so it needs context.

The usual next step is to relate it to examination, history, and any previous ECG. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

sinus arrhythmia

Sinus rhythm that naturally speeds up and slows down, often with breathing.

It is commonly a normal variant, especially in younger people.

The rest of the ECG and your history still matter. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

ectopic beats / premature complexes

One or more beats have arrived early from a place outside the usual timing sequence.

Occasional early beats are common; the importance depends on burden, symptoms, and heart history.

Clinicians usually decide whether monitoring or comparison is useful. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

T wave inversion

The ECG recovery wave points downward in one or more leads.

It can be normal in some leads and people, but can also be important when new or linked to symptoms.

A clinician usually checks which leads are involved and compares old ECGs. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

early repolarisation

A pattern in the recovery part of the ECG, often seen around the ST segment and J point.

It is commonly a normal variant in the right context, especially in younger or athletic people.

The ECG still needs to be read with symptoms and lead pattern. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

left ventricular hypertrophy by voltage criteria

The ECG voltages are tall enough to meet a rule that can suggest thicker heart muscle.

Voltage rules can over-call this; body build, age, and blood pressure context matter.

Clinicians usually decide whether blood pressure review, comparison, or an echo is relevant. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

atrial fibrillation

The upper chambers are electrically irregular, usually producing an irregular pulse.

It is not a normal variant and usually needs medical assessment, even if you feel well.

A clinician usually confirms the rhythm and assesses stroke risk and symptoms. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

borderline ECG

The report has found a minor or uncertain measurement outside its usual range.

It is not a diagnosis; it often means the tracing needs human interpretation.

The usual next step is clinician review, especially to see whether anything is new. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

abnormal ECG

The machine or reporter has labelled at least one measurement or pattern as outside the expected range.

It is not itself a diagnosis; the finding may be minor, technical, longstanding, or clinically important.

The usual next step is human interpretation with your history and prior ECGs. Ask your GP or cardiologist to interpret this in your report.

Why reports sound worse than they are

ECG machines and report templates are built to describe patterns, not to explain how worried a person should be. A phrase may be triggered by a measurement, by lead position, or by a pattern that has been present for years.

Words such as “borderline” and “abnormal” are prompts for clinical interpretation. They are not the final answer by themselves.

What to do with your report

Keep the full ECG report and bring it to appointments. Ask which findings are new versus longstanding, which ones relate to your symptoms, and whether comparison with an old ECG would change the interpretation.

If a clinician suggests another test, ask what question that test is meant to answer. That keeps the report connected to your real clinical story rather than to isolated words on the page.

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ECG term translator

sinus rhythm

Why reports sound worse than they are

What to do with your report

Would you like specialist advice?