WHY IT IS DONE
An EKG is done to:
Check the heart’s electrical activity.
Find the cause of unexplained chest pain, which could be caused by a heart attack, inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis), or angina.
Find the cause of symptoms of heart disease, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, or rapid, irregular heartbeats (palpitations).
Find out if the walls of the heart chambers are too thick (hypertrophied).
Check how well medicines are working and whether they are causing side effects that affect the heart.
Check how well mechanical devices that are implanted in the heart, such as pacemakers, are working to control a normal heartbeat.
Check the health of the heart when other diseases or conditions are present, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes, or a family history of early heart disease.
RISKS OF AN EKG
There is not a chance of problems while having an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). A portable EKG is a completely safe test and usually takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
The electrodes are used to transfer an image of the electrical activity of the heart to tracing on paper. No electricity passes through the body from the machine, and there is no danger of getting an electrical shock.
