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The HEARTS ECG Course is a live, interactive medical education program. We teach emergency clinicians a systematic, evidence-based approach to interpreting ECGs to guide clinical decisions. Developed by Toronto emergency physicians, we teach a variety of courses to a range of emergency clinicians, which can be accessed online or in person.
HEARTS is a systematic, evidence-based framework for ECG interpretation developed by Dr. Jesse McLaren, Emergency Physician and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. The acronym guides clinicians through each step of ECG analysis: Heart rate/rhythm, Electrical intervals, Axis, R-wave progression, Tall/small voltages and ST/T changes. Unlike rote memorization, the HEARTS approach builds clinical reasoning, so you understand why an ECG looks the way it does and what to do about it.
This method has been developed into multiple CME-accredited courses for emergency clinicians – whether your want to elevate your overall emergency ECG skills, improve your confidence with arrhythmias, or learn the evidence-based advances to identify false positive STEMI and subtle Occlusion MI. We also have a foundations course if you are newer to emergency ECG interpretation or would like a refresher.
HEARTS courses are live, small-group and highly interactive, based on active learning in a supportive environment. Everyone has equal opportunity to interpret ECGs from real cases, so you can learn through practice. The approach has been published in the International Journal of Emergency Medicine (IJEM) and been part of pre-conference courses for the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP), and the International Conference on Emergency Medicine (ICEM). Our courses are accessible online or can be organized locally for your group.
Our courses are designed for healthcare professionals at every stage of training who want to interpret ECGs with accuracy and confidence in clinical settings. Whether you’re a medical student encountering your first 12-lead, a paramedic managing cardiac emergencies in the field, or an emergency physician who wants to catch subtle occlusion MI patterns that standard STEMI criteria miss, there’s a HEARTS course for you.
Emergency Physicians, senior residents
HEARTS ACS
HEARTS Arrhythmias
HEARTS Emergencies
MD/RN/EMS Students, Junior Residents
HEARTS Foundation
Paramedics
HEARTS EMS
HEARTS ACS
HEARTS Arrhythmias
Nurse Practitioners
HEARTS Foundation
HEARTS Emergencies
We aim to educate the next generation of Emergency Medicine providers on evidence-based ECG interpretation and its clinical applications
Everyone can learn the art and science of ECG interpretation.
Our team of experienced physician educators are dedicated to providing engaging HEARTS ECG courses that everyone can learn from – whether you are a physician, nurse practitioner, resident, paramedic, ECG tech, or medical student.
Our HEARTS courses emphasize active learning, with highly interactive small group discussions complemented by pre-workshop reading and post-workshop questions.
Real
clinical case breakdowns
Small
interactive cohorts
Sample interpretation workflow
Heart rate/rhythm
Electrical conduction
Axis
R-wave progression
Tall/small voltages
ST-T changes
Clinical application
Accurate ECG interpretation is crucial for emergency medicine, but ECGs are challenging and can be anxiety provoking. Most teaching is based on rote memorization, unreliable pattern recognition, or passive learning–none of which builds skills or confidence.
The content of HEARTS courses teaches a systematic method of ECG interpretation that integrates evidence-based advances, so rather than memorizing, you’ll understand the physiological basis of ECG changes, and know how to respond.
The format of HEARTS courses emphasizes active learning, with highly interactive and small group discussions so you’ll gets to practice, ask questions, and build real confidence in a supportive environment.
The HEARTS ECG Course is led by Dr. McLaren, who writes the ECG Cases blog, is an associate editor of Dr. Smith’s ECG Blog, and been an invited speaker at the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Scientific Assembly.
Courses are taught by Dr. Jesse McLaren and Dr. Mazen El-Baba, both of whom have multiple ECG-related publications and have worked to improve ECG curriculum at the University of Toronto.
Our educational consultant, Dr. Anton Helman, is the host of Emergency Medicine Cases, one of the world’s leading emergency medicine websites and podcasts.
Dr. Jesse McLaren
Dr. Mazen El-Baba
Enormous educational value. The material was appropriate for advanced and experienced prehospital providers, touching on in-hospital concepts and pathways where relevant. Facilitators had clear expertise and some understanding of what differences the prehospital setting may introduce. Facilitator was entirely approachable, and met each learner at their individual learning level, walking us through difficult concepts while also challenging us.
Mazen was my facilitator. He was utterly excellent. He engaged the entire group and was able to artfully balance pushing people to test their abilities without making people uncomfortable or feel singled out. Has a genuine love for teaching and this showed.
Enjoyed the HEARTS approach and practicing applying it to many ECGs.
Honestly, the best ECG teaching I’ve ever had. I finally understand why rather than trying to memorize things
The HEARTS ECG Course is a comprehensive medical education program designed to provide clinicians with a systematic, evidence-based approach to interpreting electrocardiograms (ECGs). Developed by Dr. Jesse McLaren and Dr. Mazen El-Baba, the course aims to move beyond simple pattern recognition to help healthcare providers rapidly diagnose complex cardiac abnormalities and make critical care decisions with confidence.
Foundation, EMS, Emergencies, ACS, Arrhythmia
Yes, HEARTS Foundation is specifically designed for students
Yes, HEARTS Courses are CME-eligible
