A review of what takes place during an ECG or EKG. A description also of where, why, how and when the tests are done for certain medical conditions.
Upon arriving at the hospital, you will be taken to a room where you will lay on a cot or stretcher. A technician or other professional will usually explain the procedure to you before beginning. The EKG is a painless, relatively simple test done as you lay quietly on the cot. Six adhesive electrodes are placed on your chest. Sometimes a gel is put on the area first, then the electrode attached. These look like round, rubber pads with electrical wires attached. They are placed in various positions on the torso, such as under the armpit and below the breastbone. An electrode is also placed on each leg and each arm. The electrical wires are attached to a machine which records your heartbeat on graph paper. Each heartbeat produces something called P-QRS-T waves. Each set of waves is analyzed and gives valuable information about your heart and how well it is working.
After the tests have been performed, the reports, graphs, charts and all are sent to your physician for review. After making a diagnosis, your physician will call you to tell you the results. If the EKG was perfectly normal, you are normally told this by way of a phone call from the nurse, or possibly the doctor. If the EKG shows any abnormalities, often the physician will call you to schedule an appointment to discuss the findings. If there is an abnormality found through the EKG, this doesn't mean that you have a heart disease or serious illness. It could be that you have an irregular heartbeat or another somewhat minor disability.
When you meet with your doctor, he will discuss the findings of the tests and will explain to you the treatment or other tests which he is recommending. It could be that he would like further tests, or he might suggest a particular medication or he maybe there's nothing further required on your part but to have the EKG again at a later date.
