What is an EKG and how is one administered?


Question:
My doctor wants me to go for an EKG. What is is exactly and when I go what will they do? Is it like a stress test?

Answers:
It is an electrocardiogram. It monitors the electrical activity of your heart, reveals your heart rhythm and your heart rate. It is completely non invasive and not painful. You will have to open your shirt so they can apply 12 leads (8 to your chest, 1 on each arm, and 1 on each leg) with sticky pads. After the leads are applied they will ask you to lay still and it will record your hearts activity. The whole process should take less than 5 minutes.

Other Answers:
It's to monitor your heart rate. They tape some wires to your chest and abdomen to obtain a reading. It doesn't hurt at all and usually doesn't take very long either.

EKG stands for electrocardiogram. It is a picture of how your heart is beating. They put stickers on your chest and all you have to do is lay still. It is not like a stress test.




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