FACT SHEET FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
What is an electrocardiogram?
Tracing (heart record)
An electrocardiogram, often called an ECG or EKG,
is a test that checks the electrical activity of your
heart. This test is fast and painless. No electricity
enters your body during the test.
An ECG might be used if you’ve had chest pains, if
you are being treated for a heart problem, or just as
part of a regular checkup.
What is the purpose of this test?
Your heart is a large muscle that pumps blood through
Electrodes
your body. Your heart works because electrical (patches)
impulses move through it to prompt each heartbeat.
To check your heart health, an ECG records
these impulses. An electrocardiogram
(ECG or EKG) is a simple, easy
An ECG checks for: test to check your heart health.
•• Problems with your heart rate The ECG machine records your
heart’s activity on a printout
•• Problems with your heart rhythm (tracing).
•• Damaged heart muscle
•• Increased thickness in the heart muscle
•• Lack of good blood flow to the heart muscle •• A technician will place several electrodes (small,
sticky patches) on your chest. An electrode will also
An ECG can also show basic information such as how be placed on each arm and leg.
your heart is oriented in your chest cavity.
•• The technician will attach a wire to each sticky
patch. The wires will be connected to the
What happens in an ECG? ECG machine.
An ECG normally takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
•• The ECG machine will record your heart’s electrical
Here’s what happens during the test:
activity and print it on a paper record called a
•• You will need to remove your clothes from the waist tracing. You’ll need to lie still and not talk during
up for the test. You will be covered by a sheet or the test. Movement or talking can interfere with
gown that exposes only the necessary skin. the tracing.
•• You’ll lie flat on a table or bed. •• After about a minute, the tracing will be finished.
The technician will disconnect the wires and remove
the patches from your skin.
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How will I get the results?
Your regular healthcare provider or a heart My electrocardiogram appointment
doctor (cardiologist) will review and interpret the Date:
ECG tracing. You’ll get the results in a follow-
Time:
up appointment or sometimes during the same
Where:
appointment.
If the ECG shows there might be a problem with
your heart, you might need to have other tests or
procedures. Your healthcare provider will tell you if
this is the case.
Questions for my doctor:
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should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. More health information is 2
available at intermountainhealthcare.org. Patient and Provider Publications FS291 - 10/16 (Last reviewed - 09/16) Also available in Spanish.
