An electrocardiogram is a painless, noninvasive way to help diagnose many common heart problems. A health care provider might use an electrocardiogram to determine or detect: Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias
Irregular Heartbeat
Any change from the normal sequence of heart's impulses causing the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or erratically.
What is an EKG used for?
An EKG may be part of a routine physical exam or it may be used as a test for heart disease. An EKG can be used to further investigate symptoms related to heart problems.
What can a doctor do with an EKG?
Your doctor uses the EKG to: Assess your heart rhythm. Diagnose poor blood flow to the heart muscle (ischemia) Diagnose a heart attack. Evaluate certain abnormalities of your heart, such as an enlarged heart.
What does an electrocardiogram (ECG) show?
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the electrical signal from your heart to check for different heart conditions. Electrodes are placed on your chest to record your heart's electrical signals, which cause your heart to beat.
Why would a doctor order an ECG?
An ECG may be helpful if your pulse is difficult to feel or too fast or too irregular to count accurately. An ECG can help your doctor identify an unusually fast heart rate (tachycardia) or an unusually slow heart rate (bradycardia). Heart rhythm. An ECG can show heart rhythm irregularities (arrhythmias).
Can EKG be used to diagnose all heart diseases?
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to assess the heart rate and rhythm. This test can often detect heart disease, heart attack, an enlarged heart, or abnormal heart rhythms that may cause heart failure. Chest X-ray to see if the heart is enlarged and if the lungs are congested with fluid.
Is electrocardiogram a treatment for heart disease?
A doctor may recommend an ECG for people who may be at risk of heart disease because there is a family history of heart disease, or because they smoke, are overweight, or have diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. They may also recommend an ECG if a person is experiencing symptoms such as: chest pain.
Can EKG detect coronary heart disease?
Coronary artery disease, also called atherosclerotic heart disease, interferes with how the blood flows – and an EKG can detect this issue.
What is an EKG used for?
An ECG records these impulses to show how fast the heart is beating, the rhythm of the heart beats (steady or irregular), and the strength and timing of the electrical impulses as they move through the different parts of the heart.
What are 3 reasons a person would get an EKG?
We may recommend an EKG to:Get a baseline measurement of heart activity.Determine the cause of chest pain.Diagnose arrhythmias.Evaluate possible heart-related problems, including severe tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting.Diagnose inflammation of the heart or its lining (endocarditis)More items...
What does an EKG tell you about blood pressure?
It provides information about your heart rate and rhythm, and shows if there is enlargement of the heart due to high blood pressure (hypertension) or evidence of a previous heart attack (myocardial infarction).
What does an EKG show about your heart?
Each time your heart beats, an electrical signal travels through the heart. An EKG can show if your heart is beating at a normal rate and strength. It also helps show the size and position of your heart's chambers. An abnormal EKG can be a sign of heart disease or damage.
Why is an EKG ordered?
Your doctor may order an EKG for a number of reasons. He or she may order the test to see if you have heart disease or heart damage. An EKG can be used to see if medications are affecting your heart. Your doctor also may use an EKG to check on any implanted heart equipment (a pacemaker, for example) you have.
When should you have an EKG?
You should probably have an EKG and an exercise stress test if you have symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat, or heavy heartbeats. You may also need the tests if you have a history of heart disease. And you may need these tests if you have diabetes or other risks.
Why do you need an electrocardiogram?
Why it's done. An electrocardiogram is a painless, noninvasive way to help diagnose many common heart problems in people of all ages. Your doctor may use an electrocardiogram to determine or detect: If blocked or narrowed arteries in your heart (coronary artery disease) are causing chest pain or a heart attack.
How to check if your heart is beating?
Open pop-up dialog box. Close. Electrocardiogram. Electrocardiogram. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the electrical signal from your heart to check for different heart conditions. Electrodes are placed on your chest to record your heart's electrical signals, which cause your heart to beat. The signals are shown as waves on an attached ...
How long can you wear a Holter monitor?
Holter monitor. A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that records a continuous ECG, usually for 24 to 48 hours. Event monitor. This portable device is similar to a Holter monitor, but it records only at certain times for a few minutes at a time. You can wear it longer than a Holter monitor, typically 30 days.
What causes chest pain and heart attack?
If blocked or narrowed arteries in your heart (coronary artery disease) are causing chest pain or a heart attack
Can beta blockers cause arrhythmias?
In other cases, medications, such as beta blockers, cocaine, amphetamines, and over-the-counter cold and allergy drugs, can trigger arrhythmias. Heart attack. An ECG can show evidence of a previous heart attack or one that's in progress.
Can you have an electrocardiogram if you have no symptoms?
But if you have a family history of heart disease, your doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram as a screening test, even if you have no symptoms.
Why do doctors use EKGs?
Your doctor uses the EKG to: Assess your heart rhythm.
What is an EKG?
An electrocardiogram (also called EKG or ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart through small electrode patches attached to the skin of your chest, arms, and legs. An EKG may be part of a routine physical exam or it may be used as a test for heart disease.
What Is a Signal-Averaged Electrocardiogram?
This is a painless test used to assess whether a person is at high risk of developing a potentially fatal heart arrhythmia. It is performed in a similar manner to the EKG, but uses sophisticated technology to look for risk of heart arrhythmias.
How long does it take to do an EKG?
This is called a "resting" EKG. This same test may also be used to monitor your heart during exercise. It takes about 10 minutes to attach the electrodes and complete the test, but the actual recording takes only a few seconds. Your EKG patterns will be kept on file for later comparison with future EKG recordings.
How many electrodes are used in an EKG?
During an EKG, a technician will attach 10 electrodes with adhesive pads to the skin of your chest, arms, and legs. Men may have chest hair shaved to allow a better connection. You will lie flat while the computer creates a picture, on graph paper, of the electrical impulses traveling through your heart. This is called a "resting" EKG.
When to use a heart monitor?
It is most often used when the doctor suspects an abnormal heart rhythm or ischemia (not enough blood flow to the heart muscle). It is a painless test; electrodes from the monitor are taped to the skin. Once the monitor is in place, you can go home and perform all of your normal activities (except showering).
What Is a Holter Monitor?
In addition to the standard EKG, your doctor may recommend other specialized EKG tests, including a holter monitor or a signal-averaged electrocardiogram.
Overview
- An electrocardiogram records the electrical signals in the heart. It's a common and painless test used to quickly detect heart problems and monitor the heart's health. An electrocardiogram — also called ECG or EKG — is often done in a health care provider's office, a clinic or a hospital room. ECG machines are standard equipment in operating rooms ...
Why It's Done
- An electrocardiogram is a painless, noninvasive way to help diagnose many common heart problems. A health care provider might use an electrocardiogram to determine or detect: 1. Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) 2. If blocked or narrowed arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) are causing chest pain or a heart attack 3. Whether you have had a previous hear…
Risks
- An electrocardiogram is a safe procedure. There is no risk of electrical shock during the test because the electrodes used do not produce electricity. The electrodes only record the electrical activity of the heart. You may have minor discomfort, similar to removing a bandage, when the electrodes are removed. Some people develop a slight rash where the patches were placed.
How You Prepare
- No special preparations are necessary for a standard electrocardiogram. Tell your health care provider about any medications and supplements you take. These can often affect the results of an ECG.
Results
- Your health care provider might discuss results with you the same day as your electrocardiogram or at your next appointment. ECGresults can give a health care provider details about the following: 1. Heart rate. Usually, heart rate can be measured by checking the pulse. An ECG may be helpful if your pulse is difficult to feel or too fast or too irregular to count accurately. An ECGc…
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiesof tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.