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An electrocardiogram, also called an ECG or EKG, is
a graphic record of the heart's electrical activity. An ECG is used
to diagnose disorders of the heart including coronary heart disease,
coronary thrombosis, pericarditis, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis &
arrhythmias.
A person can have an ECG while either lying down or
exercising on a treadmill. A technician will use an adhesive to
attach from 12 to approximately 15 electrodes at specific sites
on the skin. These sites are selected on both arms and on the chest.
The sites will be cleaned and perhaps shaved before the electrodes
are attached. A machine then records the electrical activity of
the heart under conditions a doctor has specified. An ECG usually
takes about 5 minutes to perform. The procedure is painless.
Normal results include the following:
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a heart rate that is between 50 and 100 beats per second
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a consistent and even rhythm
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a pattern on the graph that corresponds to pattern profiles
established for healthy people
Abnormal results can come from any of the following:
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a muscle defect
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an enlargement of the heart
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defects from birth
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heart-valve disease
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abnormal rhythms (or arrhythmias including tachycardia, a heartbeat
that is too fast, or bradycardia, a heartbeat that is too slow)
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coronary artery disease
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an inflammation of the heart
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an altered electrolyte balance (including potassium or sodium
abnormalities)
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a past heart attack, one that is happening at the moment, or
one that is about to happen
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