An Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a medical test that measures the electrical activity of your heart to check for various heart conditions. Here are some key points about ECG:
1. Purpose: An ECG helps detect heart problems such as arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and other heart conditions.
2. How it works: During the test, small sensors called electrodes are attached to your skin, usually on your chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes record the electrical signals that make your heart beat. The signals are then displayed as wavy lines on a graph.
3. Types of ECG:
- Resting ECG: Done while you are lying down in a relaxed state.
- Exercise ECG: Performed while you are walking or running on a treadmill to see how your heart performs under physical stress.
- Holter ECG: A portable device worn for 24 to 48 hours to continuously monitor your heart's activity during your normal daily activities.
4. Interpretation: The ECG results are analyzed by a healthcare professional to identify any abnormalities in the heart's rhythm, structure, or function.
In short, ECG is a non-invasive and quick test that provides valuable information about your heart's health.