EKG (ELECTROCARDIOGRAM)

An electrocardiogram is a test of the heart and is also known as an EKG or ECG. It records the electric currents produced by the heart. It measures the current through the skin with electrodes that are attached to the chest. Electrodes are harmless devices with wires that lead to a recording machine.

An EKG helps identify various problems with the heart and may be used for any of the following:

to assess the damage from a heart attack
to identify heartbeat abnormalities
to identify diseases of the heart muscle
to check on drug therapy for the heart and
to see if a pacemaker is working

A resting EKG takes about 5 to 10 minutes. An EKG taken during exercise takes longer. This is called a stress test. The examiner attaches electrodes to the chest, wrists, and legs with a special gel. A recording machine will trace a wave pattern for each wire lead. For a resting EKG, the person must remain still and quiet.

An exercise EKG is done while the person walks on a treadmill or rides a bicycle . This gives important information about the heart. Blood pressure is measured along with heart activity. Unless the person has pain or gets too tired, the person keeps exercising until he reaches a target heart rate. The healthcare provider will usually watch the EKG for a few minutes after the exercise stops.

The healthcare provider will interpret the EKG tracings and report the findings to the patient after the test.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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