Electrocardiograms (EKG or ECG)

What is an Electrocardiogram?

An electrocardiogram is a recording of the electrical activity of your heart. The heart is made of many muscle fibers. The squeezing or pumping of your heart is the result of contracting and relaxing of these muscle fibers. The stimulus for your heart to pump is caused by electrical impulses. These electrical signals generate a pattern on the EKG printout. Your physician then analyzes this pattern to tell whether your heart is normal or experiencing stress, strain, or damage.

If you are scheduled for an EKG:

• Wear a sweat suit or other comfortable clothing. 
• Female patients receive a gown to wear since patients may be asked to remove their clothing above the waist.
• While you lie on your back, the technician will place square-shaped electrodes onto your upper arms, ankles and chest.
• A computer will record the electrical activity of your heart through electrodes. The test takes about 15 minutes and is painless.