What Is An EKG Cardiovascular Test Looking For? by Dr. Sameer Rohatgi

If you're experiencing dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or palpitations your doctor may suggest that you have an electrocardiogram. This cardiovascular test, abbreviated as EKG or ECG, is a non-invasive test typically performed in your doctor’s office and measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat.

How Is an Electrocardiogram Conducted?
No special patient preparation is required for an EKG test.  During the test, you will lie on an exam table and a technician will place several small sensors on your chest, arms and legs.  These sensors have wires called leads which connect to the electrocardiogram machine. They create a 3D map of your heart's natural electrical rhythms, which can immediately show whether you have any unusual heart activity. The sensors don't deliver any electrical current; they only record your body's own natural heart rhythms. The test lasts for six seconds, and the results are printed out and can be interpreted immediately.

What an EKG Is Looking For
This test primarily checks the rhythmic behavior of different chambers of your heart.  By measuring the time interval of the ECG a doctor can determine how long it is taking an electrical wave to pass through your heart.  This shows if the electrical activity is normal, fast, slow or irregular.  It also measures the amount of electrical activity passing through the heart which helps your cardiologist find out if your heart is enlarged or is overworked.

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