How do muscles cause somatic interference that shows up on ECG tracings?

Muscle activity can cause somatic interference on ECG tracings through electrical signals generated by skeletal muscle contractions, which can create noise or artifacts in the recording. This interference is often seen as irregular spikes or baseline fluctuations on the ECG, making it difficult to interpret the heart’s electrical activity accurately. Factors such as patient movement, shivering, or even voluntary muscle tension can exacerbate this interference, leading to misleading readings. Proper electrode placement and patient preparation can help minimize these effects.