Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
 What is it?
An electrocardiogram – abbreviated as EKG or ECG – is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. It is a non-invasive tracing of your heart’s electrical activity. With each beat, an electrical impulse (or “wave”) travels through the heart. This wave causes the muscle to squeeze and pump blood from the heart. The pattern this electrical wave takes is recorded and is used to screen for abnormal heart rhythms and many other conditions of the heart. It can provide clues to enlargement of the heart chambers, problems with coronary blood flow, and inflammation of heart tissues. Changes of the EKG pattern when compared to prior EKGs often indicate that a new problem has developed or a clinical situation may have changed. Since the EKG is an excellent indicator that a change, serious or minor, has occurred in the heart’s status, it is almost routinely performed as part of every office evaluation.
Why is it done? An EKG provides a great deal of important information. It is used to:
- Evaluate disorders of heart rhythm;
- Evaluate problems of blood flow to the heart;
- Assess problems within the heart muscle itself;
- Assess heart valve disorders by providing pattern of strain on the heart;
- Provide clues to metabolic conditions in the body that effect the EKG pattern.
Does it hurt?
No. There’s no pain or risk associated with having an electrocardiogram. When the ECG stickers are removed, there may be some minor discomfort.
Is it harmful?
No. The machine only records the ECG. It doesn’t send electricity into the body.
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