An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart. An EKG shows the heart’s electrical activity as line tracings on paper.
An EKG is done to:
+ Check the heart’s electrical activity.
+ Find the cause of unexplained chest pain or pressure. This 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. Symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and heartbeats that are rapid and irregular (palpitations).
+ Find out if the walls of the heart chambers are too thick.
+ Check how well medicines are working and see if 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. These devices help to control the heartbeat.
