Verywell / Cindy Chung
Purpose of an EKG Test
An electrocardiogram records your hearts electrical activity.
The devices are available in most medical facilities and are relatively safe, simple, and inexpensive to perform.
Possible risks of ECG include:
An ECG also has certain limitations.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Among them:
Before the ECG Test
There is not much preparation needed for an ECG.
A hospital gown will be provided.
Depending on the goals of the test, you may need to stop certain medications temporarily.
These may impact the results or the interpretation of the results.
An ECG is covered by most health insurance plans, but check with your provider just to be sure.
Once you are changed into a hospital gown, you will lie down on an examination table.
Each electrode is attached to the ECG machine equipped with a digital display and printer.
During or at the end of the test, the printer will produce the tracer.
The ECG reading will take about five minutes.
During that time, you will be asked to remain still as movement can disrupt the pattern.
There is no pain or discomfort associated with an ECG.
After the ECG
After the test, the electrodes are removed.
Any adhesive still attached to the skin can easily be removed with an alcohol pad.
it’s possible for you to then remove the gown and put your clothes back on.
You should not have any side effects, and there are no limitations on your activity afterward.
If you experience a rash, call your healthcare provider.
Interpreting the ECG Results
An ECG uses 10 cables that generate 12 different tracers.
Each tracer shows the electrical activity from different angles of the heart.
In healthy people, a tracing will consist of a specific pattern that falls within an expected range.
From start to finish, the test takes around 15 minutes.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.What is an electrocardiogram (ECG)?.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Electrocardiogram.
Bansal A, Joshi R.Portable out-of-hospital electrocardiography: a review of current technologies.J Arrhythm.
