Why it's done

An electrocardiogram, also called an EKG, is a simple, painless test that records the heart's electrical activity. To understand this test, it helps to understand how the heart works.

With each heartbeat, an electrical signal spreads from the top of the heart to the bottom. As it travels, the signal causes the heart to contract and pump blood. The process repeats with each new heartbeat.

The heart's electrical signals set the rhythm of the heartbeat. .
An EKG shows:
    •    How fast your heart is beating
    •    Whether the rhythm of your heartbeat is steady or irregular
    •    The strength and timing of electrical signals as they pass through each part of your heart

Doctors use EKGs to detect and study many heart problems, such as heart attacks, arrhythmias, and heart failure. The test's results also can suggest other disorders that affect heart function.

How the test works

 A nurse or technician will attach soft, sticky electrode patches (about the size of a quarter)  to the skin of your chest, arms, and legs.

 

Often, 12 patches are attached to your body. This helps detect your heart's electrical activity from many areas at the same time. The nurse may have to shave areas of your skin to help the patches stick.

 

After the patches are placed on your skin, you'll lie still on a table while the patches detect your heart's electrical signals. A machine will record these signals on graph paper or display them on a screen.

 

The entire test will take about 10 minutes.

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