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They record the electrical signals that make your heart beat. A computer records the information and displays it as waves on a monitor or on paper. You can breathe normally during the test, but you will need to lie still. Make sure you're warm and ready to lie still. Moving, talking or shivering may distort the test results. A standard ECG takes a few minutes. Your doctor may discuss your results with you the same day as your electrocardiogram or at your next appointment. If your electrocardiogram is normal, you may not need any other tests.

If the results show an abnormality with your heart, you may need another ECG or other diagnostic tests, such as an echocardiogram. Treatment depends on what's causing your signs and symptoms.

Your doctor will review the information recorded by the ECG machine and look for any problems with your heart, including:. If your doctor finds any problems on your ECG , he or she may order additional tests to see if treatment is necessary.

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Overview Electrocardiogram Open pop-up dialog box Close. Electrocardiogram An electrocardiogram ECG or EKG records the electrical signal from your heart to check for different heart conditions. Holter monitor Implantable loop recorder: A heart monitoring device. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Electrocardiogram. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. The electrocardiogram, also referred to as ECG, lead ECG, or EKG, is a non-invasive diagnostic test that evaluates your heart's electrical system to assess for heart disease.

It uses flat metal electrodes placed on your chest to detect the electrical activity of your heart as it beats, which is then graphed. Your healthcare provider can analyze the patterns to get a better understanding of your heart rate and heart rhythm , identify some types of structural heart disease, and evaluate cardiac efficiency. An ECG detects your heart's electrical rhythm and produces what's known as a tracing, which looks like squiggly lines.

This tracing consists of representations of several waves that recur with each heartbeat, about 60 to times per minute. The wave pattern should have a consistent shape. If your waves are not consistent, or if they do not appear as standard waves, this is indicative of heart disease. There are a variety of characteristic changes that occur with different heart problems, and your healthcare provider can look at your ECG wave patterns to see if they are suggestive of certain types of heart disease.

Many healthcare providers order an ECG as part of a yearly medical examination to screen for heart disease. This may apply to you if:. Electrocardiography may also be recommended if you have signs or symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting spells.

Likewise, if you have signs of a TIA or stroke , such as vision changes, numbness, weakness, or communication problems, you are also likely to need an ECG because some types of heart disease can cause a stroke. If you have heart disease, you may need periodic ECG testing to evaluate whether your disease is worsening and to monitor the treatment effects of your heart medications. An ECG is also required prior to any type of heart surgery, including surgery for pacemaker placement.

A pre-operative ECG is also needed before any surgical procedure that involves general anesthesia because heart disease increases the risk of adverse events from anesthesia. The screening also helps your anesthesiologists as they plan your anesthetic medications and surgical monitoring.

There are a number of conditions that can be detected when your healthcare provider checks your pulse, such as tachycardia rapid heart rate , bradycardia slow heart rate , and arrhythmia irregular heart rate.

EKG wave patterns can verify these alterations in your heart rhythm, and certain changes in the shape of the waves provides information about the specific type of heart disease and which region in the heart is affected. The ECG is one of the most commonly used tests in medicine because it can screen for a large variety of cardiac conditions, the machines are readily available in most medical facilities, the test is simple to perform, is safe, and relatively inexpensive.

That said, an ECG has its limitations:. ECG is a safe test that does not cause health complications. There are no medical conditions associated with any risks or adverse effects from an ECG. If your healthcare provider or cardiologist orders an ECG, you generally do not need to have any special tests or procedures to prepare for it. In fact, you can have it right in the healthcare provider's office if there is available time, space, and equipment. Sometimes, depending on the reason for your ECG, your healthcare provider may ask you to stop taking some of your medications for a day or two before the test.

If you are having an ECG as part of a healthcare provider's visit, anticipate needing an extra 10 to 15 minutes for the test. If you are going to have a special visit for the ECG, you should expect it to take longer because of the registration and check-in process. Often, an ECG is done in the healthcare provider's office, sometimes in the same exam room where you are seeing the healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider's clinic may have a separate space where you may need to go to have your test.

You will need to change into a hospital gown so that electrodes can be placed on your chest. You may be asked to remove large necklaces or chains if they dangle or get in the way, but you do not need to worry about electrical interference from metal jewelry.

You can eat or drink whatever you want prior to your test. If your healthcare provider is worried that you have an especially rapid heart rhythm, you may be asked to abstain from caffeine for six to 10 hours before the test. Generally, an ECG is covered by most health insurance plans, but there are always exceptions. If you are insured and concerned that your plan may not cover the test, or if you have a plan with minimal coverage, you might want to check your benefits in advance.

As with many procedures, your plan may also require you to pay a copay, and you should be able to find out by calling the number on your insurance card. When you go for your ECG, you should bring your test order form if applicable , your health insurance card, a form of identification, and a method of payment.

Your test will be performed by a healthcare provider, a nurse, or a technician. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and lie down on an examination table. The technician may have to shave small areas to ensure the electrodes stick properly to your skin.

Each electrode is about the size of a quarter. These electrodes are attached to electrical leads wires , which are then attached to the EKG machine. Make sure to lie as still as possible and breathe normally. After the procedure, the electrodes are removed and discarded. The entire procedure takes about 10 minutes.

However, some heart problems come and go. In these cases, you may need longer or more specialized monitoring. Some heart problems only appear during exercise. Electrodes attached to your chest record information on a portable, battery-operated monitor that you can carry in your pocket, on your belt, or on a shoulder strap.

Some event recorders activate automatically when they detect symptoms. Other event recorders require you to push a button when you feel symptoms. You can send the information directly to your doctor over a phone line. There are few, if any, risks related to an EKG. Some people may experience a skin rash where electrodes were placed, but this usually goes away without treatment.

People undergoing a stress test may be at risk for heart attack, but this is related to the exercise, not the EKG. An EKG simply monitors the electrical activity of your heart. Avoid drinking cold water or exercising before your EKG.