| Each time your heart beats, the contractions and | | | | to see the presence of any abnormalities. The |
| relaxations of the heart muscle emit electrical | | | | EKG recording often reveals the scars of past |
| current. An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a medical | | | | heart attacks and other heart damage. Although |
| recording of the electric impulses from the heart. | | | | the test cannot predict future heart attacks or |
| Electrodes that send impulses to the EKG machine | | | | other heart problems, a combination of family |
| are attached to the patient's skin at various points | | | | history and additional examinations may give your |
| on the body. Those recorded currents are | | | | doctor a good idea of what to expect. |
| displayed on a computer monitor and can be | | | | Individuals experiencing chest pain, shortness of |
| printed out on special graph paper. Your heart's | | | | breath, dizziness or heart palpitations will likely be |
| electrical currents are recorded on the graph | | | | referred for an EKG by their doctor. An EKG is a |
| paper as an EKG. Qualified medical staff interpret | | | | rapid and safe way to determine if a heart attack |
| the graphed results to determine any irregularities. | | | | is occurring. Those reporting these types of |
| Most EKGs are performed in a critical care facility, | | | | symptoms will likely be referred to the nearest |
| telemetry or any place that a particular patient | | | | Emergency Room for further evaluation. If your |
| needs to be monitored. EKGs can help your | | | | doctor does not think your symptoms indicate a |
| doctor determine the status of your heart health. | | | | life-threatening situation, you may be asked to |
| By graphing the electrical impulses of the heart, | | | | make an appointment with an EKG specialist for |
| doctors and other trained medical staff are able | | | | further observation. |