Electrocardiography (EKG)

What is an electrocardiogram?

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) measures the electrical activity of your heart using electrodes attached to the chest, arms and legs. This low-risk test is a simple, quick and highly effective tool for evaluating your heart and diagnosing conditions. The test will show:

How fast your heart beats
Whether your heart rhythm is steady or irregular
The strength and timing of electrical impulses passing through your heart

Patient connected to and holding an ECG monitor

Why is an electrocardiogram done?

An electrocardiogram is done to check the heartbeat. It shows how fast or how slow the heart is beating. You may need an EKG if you are experiencing symptoms, such as:

Chest pain
Dizziness, feeling faint, or confusion
Irregular or rapid heartbeat
Elevated heart rate
Shortness of breath
Severe weakness or fatigue
Difficulty exercising

EKGs can be used after a diagnosis, as well. For example, your doctor may want to monitor your heart after you’ve been diagnosed with a type of heart disease or to see how well you are responding to a medication or treatment.

EKGs are used to diagnose many conditions, including:

Types of electrocardiogram

Electrocardiograms typically take place at a healthcare facility or hospital using specialized equipment.

However, you might have irregular symptoms that don’t appear on an EKG in your doctor’s office or the hospital or your doctor might want to monitor your heart as you go about your daily activities.

In those cases, they may ask you to wear a small, portable EKG monitor. These devices record heart activity for a few days, a few weeks or even a few years, allowing your physician to get a more complete picture of your heart health.

There are two main types of portable EKG monitoring:

What to expect when getting an EKG

If you’re having an EKG at your cardiologist’s office or another location, the test will be very simple and painless. There’s little preparation involved, except some basic personal care tips. On the day of the test, avoid putting lotions or oils on your chest and choose a top that’s easy to take off.

If you’re receiving a portable EKG, you’ll receive detailed instructions about how to use the device.

Should I worry about an abnormal EKG?

Your EKG results

Whether you have an office-based EKG or wear a portable heart monitor, your cardiologist will review your EKG and look for signs that your heart is beating:

Too fast (more than 100 beats per minute)
Too slow (fewer than 60 beats per minute)
Irregularly

Your provider will discuss your EKG results with you and explain what they show. If any abnormalities are found, they will indicate what kinds of heart conditions are responsible for your symptoms. Your doctor may need to conduct further tests, such as an echocardiogram or a stress test, to confirm a diagnosis.

If an EKG leads to a diagnosis, your cardiologist will work with you to discuss next steps and determine the right treatment option. The type of heart condition you have and its severity, as well as your overall health, will guide your decision-making.