Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
What is an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)?
An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a recording of the electrical
activity in all areas of your
heart. The
electrical activity is shown as waveforms on a
piece of paper or on a monitor.
An EKG gives your Inova physician
information about your heart rate and
heart rhythm, the presence
of heart damage after a heart attack, inadequate blood and
about oxygen supply to the heart, as well as about abnormalities
of
the structure of the heart (for example, an enlarged heart). An EKG is performed to evaluate many forms of heart disease,
including a heart
attack, heart
rhythm disturbances, and other abnormalities.
EKGs are also used in holter monitors and exercise stress tests.
