What can cause false readings in a 12 lead EKG?

False readings in a 12 lead EKG can occur due to patient movement. When a patient shifts position, fidgets, or does not remain still during the EKG recording, it can lead to artifacts in the EKG tracing. These artifacts can mimic or obscure true cardiac events, making it challenging to accurately interpret the heart's electrical activity. Artifacts appear as irregularities in the waveform that may resemble arrhythmias or other cardiac abnormalities, resulting in potentially misleading diagnostics.

In contrast, while factors such as excess body fat, exercise, and cold temperatures can influence certain aspects of the EKG reading, they do not typically cause the same level of disruption in the recorded tracings as patient movement does. Excess body fat may affect electrode placement or signal quality, while exercise can change heart rate and rhythm, yet these effects are generally predictable and well-understood. Cold temperatures can lead to changes in skin conductivity but are less likely to introduce immediate artifacts in the way that patient movement directly impacts the fidelity of the EKG tracing.