What is an Electrocardiogram?

An Electrocardiogram (also known as an ECG or EKG) is a recording of the heart’s electrical activity. The heart produces low-level electricity which is conducted throughout the heart muscle through specialized electrical pathways. This activity directs the heart's various parts to beat regularly and at the appropriate time relative to other parts of the heart. An ECG records these patterns of electrical activity from several combinations of sensors (electrodes) attached to your skin.

What will an Electrocardiogram tell my doctor?

Some of the many things your doctor may have ordered your Electrocardiogram to learn about include:

  • if your heart skips beats or otherwise beats irregularly
  • if your heartbeat is too fast or too slow
  • if your heart's electrical pathways are working correctly
  • if your heart’s electrical activity shows abnormal patterns

    • What To Expect.

    For your test you will be asked to remove all garments from the waist up. (Ladies (and gentlemen, upon request) will be given a gown with which to cover-up.) For the test, ten (10) electrodes (sticky patches) are attached in various places on your chest and limbs. Wires leading from the Electrocardiogram machine are then attached to the electrodes. The technician then records your ECG from various combinations of the electrodes on your skin to produce 12 different tracings on paper (hence you may hear the term 12-lead Electrocardiogram).

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