Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a medical examination that aims to monitor the heart.  An electrical impulse triggers every heartbeat, and this electrical impulse comes from special cells that are present in the upper-right heart chamber. This test is tasked with recording these electrical signals during their travels through the heart. There are a number of reasons why a physician may want to explore the heart through the use of this painless, non-invasive medical procedure.

While there are a number of other diagnostic tests for heart defects and other heart issues, the EKG or ECG is regularly recommended because it is simple and non-invasive. The EKG is an exam that can produce a lot of diagnostic information without discomfort on the part of the patient. When physicians suspect that something is going on with the heart, but are not sure what, this is often the first diagnostic tool that they use. This is because it can help steer their diagnosis in the right direction and indicate other possible tests in the process.

Because EKG is painless and non-invasive, physicians use it for many reasons. Many heart problems are diagnosable using this test. As such, physicians utilize the EKG exam to look for irregularities in the heart rhythm known as arrhythmias, defects in the heart, blocked arteries, narrowed arteries, heart attack, evidence of previous heart attacks and problems involving the heart valves. Physicians may repeat EKG exams in order to track changes to the heart and its health over time, too.