Electrocardiogram
(Also called: ECG, EKG)
Purpose
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that measures and records the electrical activity of a patient’s heart. The beating of the heart is controlled by electrical impulses, which normally travel on a smooth path, causing the atria and ventricles (the top and bottom chambers) of the heart to contract in a specific order. This pushes blood through the lungs and body. These electrical impulses can be disrupted by many heart diseases and disorders, including arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, and heart attack.
ECGs are conducted in the ECG Clinic on H2 of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Description
- The technician explains the procedure.
- Adhesive electrodes are applied to the chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes are connected to the ECG machine.
- The patient lies still for about five minutes while the ECG machine records the electrical activity of the heart.
- The ECG results are reviewed by a cardiologist and a report is sent to the patient’s doctor, who discusses the results with the patient.
Additional Information
An ECG is not harmful in any way. Rarely, a patient may develop a temporary rash or swelling at the electrode sites.
A standard ECG will record only those electrical problems in the heart that are continuous. To record problems that only occur only sometimes, a patient may need to use a Holter monitor.
