Forsyth Medical Center 
Tests and Treatments
Electrocardiograms (ECG)
| Electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG) monitor the heart's electrical activity and can determine a variety of heart conditions. |
Electrocardiograms, also known as ECGs or EKGs, are used to record the heart's electrical activity. An ECG is used to determine a variety of heart conditions including whether or not someone experiencing chest pain or heart palpitations has a normal heart beat. It can also indicate if a heart attack has taken place and possibly when it occurred.
An ECG is performed by placing electrodes at specific locations on each arm, leg, and the chest. This requires cleaning the site and, if necessary, shaving or clipping the hair. The standard number of leads attached is 12 to 15 for a "diagnostic" ECG, but may be as few as three to five for a "monitoring" ECG. Then recording leads are attached to the electrodes.
This test usually takes place while lying down, but sometimes it is performed while you are exercising or under minimal stress to monitor changes in the heart. The results are recorded on graph paper. ECGs do not produce any electricity of their own, and the test does not hurt or have any known side effects.
