Electrocardiogram ECG or EKG - Mayo Clinic
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Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the electrical signal from the heart to check for different heart conditions. Electrodes are placed on the chest to record the heart's electrical signals, which cause the heart to beat. The signals are shown as waves on an attached computer monitor or printer. An electrocardiogram records the electrical signals in the heart. It's a common and painless test used to quickly detect heart problems and monitor the heart's health. An electrocardiogram - also called ECG or EKG - is often done in a health care provider's office, a clinic or a hospital room. ECG machines are standard equipment in operating rooms and ambulances. Some personal devices, such as smartwatches, offer ECG monitoring. Ask your health care provider if this is an option for you. Products & Services
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Holter monitor Implantable loop recorder: A heart monitoring device Why it s done
An electrocardiogram is a painless, noninvasive way to help diagnose many common heart problems. A health care provider might use an electrocardiogram to determine or detect: Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) If blocked or narrowed arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) are causing chest pain or a heart attack Whether you have had a previous heart attack How well certain heart disease treatments, such as a pacemaker, are working You may need an ECG if you have any of the following signs and symptoms: Chest pain Dizziness, lightheadedness or confusion Heart palpitations Rapid pulse Shortness of breath Weakness, fatigue or a decline in ability to exercise The American Heart Association doesn't recommend using electrocardiograms to assess adults at low risk who don't have symptoms. But if you have a family history of heart disease, your health care provider might suggest an electrocardiogram as a screening test, even if you have no symptoms. If symptoms tend to come and go, they may not be detected during a standard ECG recording. A health care provider might recommend remote or continuous ECG monitoring. There are several different types. Holter monitor. A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that records a continuous ECG, usually for 24 to 48 hours. Event monitor. This portable device is similar to a Holter monitor, but it records only at certain times for a few minutes at a time. You can wear it longer than a Holter monitor, typically 30 days. You generally push a button when you feel symptoms. Some devices automatically record when an irregular rhythm is detected. ECG on medical helicopter A person receives an ECG while on a helicopter for medical transport. More Information
Electrocardiogram ECG or EKG care at Mayo ClinicEjection fraction: What does it measure?Acute coronary syndromeAnginaAnorexia nervosaAortic valve regurgitationAortic valve stenosisARDSArteriosclerosis / atherosclerosisAtrial fibrillationAtrial flutterAtrial septal defect (ASD)BradycardiaBroken heart syndromeBulimia nervosaBundle branch blockCardiogenic shockCardiomyopathyCoarctation of the aortaCongenital heart defects in childrenCongenital heart disease in adultsCoronary artery diseaseDiabetic ketoacidosisDilated cardiomyopathyDressler syndromeEbstein anomalyEisenmenger syndromeEndocarditisEnlarged heartHeart arrhythmiaHeart attackHeart diseaseHeart murmursHyperparathyroidismHypertrophic cardiomyopathyHypoparathyroidismKawasaki diseaseLeft ventricular hypertrophyLong QT syndromeLow blood pressure (hypotension)Mitral valve diseaseMitral valve prolapseMitral valve regurgitationMitral valve stenosisMultiple system atrophy (MSA)Myocardial ischemiaMyocarditisNoonan syndromeOrthostatic hypotension (postural hypotension)Panic attacks and panic disorderPatent ductus arteriosus (PDA)Pectus excavatumPericardial effusionPericarditisPremature ventricular contractions (PVCs)Pulmonary atresiaPulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septumPulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defectPulmonary edemaPulmonary valve stenosisRheumatic feverSecondary hypertensionSick sinus syndromeSudden cardiac arrestTachycardiaTetralogy of FallotTransposition of the great arteriesTricuspid valve regurgitationTuberous sclerosisVasovagal syncopeVentricular fibrillationVentricular septal defect (VSD)Ventricular tachycardiaWolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndromeShow more related information Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
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An electrocardiogram is a safe procedure. There is no risk of electrical shock during the test because the electrodes used do not produce electricity. The electrodes only record the electrical activity of the heart. You may have minor discomfort, similar to removing a bandage, when the electrodes are removed. Some people develop a slight rash where the patches were placed. How you prepare
No special preparations are necessary for a standard electrocardiogram. Tell your health care provider about any medications and supplements you take. These can often affect the results of an ECG. What you can expect
An electrocardiogram can be done in a health care provider's office or hospital. Before
You may be asked to change into a hospital gown. If you have hair on the parts of your body where the electrodes will be placed, the care provider may shave the hair so that the patches stick. Once you're ready, you'll typically be asked to lie on an examining table or bed. During
During an ECG, up to 12 sensors (electrodes) are attached to the chest and limbs. The electrodes are sticky patches with wires that connect to a monitor. They record the electrical signals that make the heart beat. A computer records the information and displays it as waves on a monitor or on paper. You can breathe 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 interfere with the test results. A standard ECG takes a few minutes. After
You can typically return to your usual activities after your electrocardiogram. Results
Your health care provider might discuss results with you the same day as your electrocardiogram or at your next appointment. ECG results can give a health care provider details about the following: Heart rate. Usually, heart rate can be measured by checking the pulse. An ECG may be helpful if your pulse is difficult to feel or too fast or too irregular to count accurately. An ECG can help identify an unusually fast heart rate (tachycardia) or an unusually slow heart rate (bradycardia). Heart rhythm. An ECG can detect irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). An arrhythmia may occur when any part of the heart's electrical system doesn't work properly. Heart attack. An ECG can show evidence of a previous heart attack or one that's currently happening. The patterns on the ECG may help determine which part of the heart has been damaged, as well as the extent of the damage. Blood and oxygen supply to the heart. An ECG done while you're having symptoms can help your health care provider determine whether reduced blood flow to the heart muscle is causing the chest pain. Heart structure changes. An ECG can provide clues about an enlarged heart, heart defects and other heart problems. If results show a heart rhythm problem, you may need another ECG or other test, such as an echocardiogram. Treatment depends on what's causing your signs and symptoms. Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. By Mayo Clinic Staff Electrocardiogram ECG or EKG care at Mayo Clinic Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Doctors & Departments March 19, 2022 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Electrocardiogram. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ekg. Accessed March 27, 2020. Goldman L, et al., eds. Approach to the patient with suspected arrhythmia. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 27, 2020. AskMayoExpert. Ambulatory heart rhythm monitoring. Mayo Clinic; 2021. Fowler GC, et al., eds. Office electrocardiograms. In: Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Accessed March 27, 2020. What causes an arrhythmia? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/arr/causes. Accessed March 27, 2020. Bonow RO, et al., eds. Electrocardiography. In: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 11th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 27, 2020. Heart arrhythmia. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-arrhythmia/symptoms-causes/syc-20350668. Accessed March 27, 2020. Noseworthy PA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. March 27, 2020. Related
Acute coronary syndrome Angina Anorexia nervosa Aortic valve regurgitation Aortic valve stenosis ARDS Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis Atrial fibrillation Atrial flutter Atrial septal defect (ASD) Bradycardia Broken heart syndrome Bulimia nervosa Bundle branch block Cardiogenic shock Cardiomyopathy Chest pain Coarctation of the aorta Congenital heart defects in children Congenital heart disease in adults Coronary artery disease Diabetic ketoacidosis Dilated cardiomyopathy Dressler syndrome Ebstein anomaly Eisenmenger syndrome Ejection fraction: What does it measure? Electrocardiogram Endocarditis Enlarged heart Exercise stress test Heart arrhythmia Heart attack Heart disease Heart failure Heart murmurs Heart palpitations Holter monitor Hyperparathyroidism Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Hypoparathyroidism Implantable loop recorder Kawasaki disease Left ventricular hypertrophy Long QT syndrome Low blood pressure (hypotension) Mitral valve disease Mitral valve prolapse Mitral valve regurgitation Mitral valve stenosis Multiple system atrophy (MSA) Myocardial ischemia Myocarditis Noonan syndrome Orthostatic hypotension (postural hypotension) Panic attacks and panic disorder Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) Pectus excavatum Pericardial effusion Pericarditis Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) Pulmonary atresia Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect Pulmonary edema Pulmonary valve stenosis Rheumatic fever Secondary hypertension Sick sinus syndrome Sudden cardiac arrest Tachycardia Tetralogy of Fallot Transposition of the great arteries Tricuspid valve regurgitation Tuberous sclerosis Vasovagal syncope Ventricular fibrillation Ventricular septal defect (VSD) Ventricular tachycardia Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome Show more related content News from Mayo Clinic
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