Both are correct and commonly used. EKG is based on the German spelling, elektrokardiogramm. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.
Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. What is an electrocardiogram EKG test? Other names: ECG test. What is it used for? These include: Irregular heartbeat known as arrhythmia Blocked arteries Heart damage Heart failure Heart attack.
EKGs are often used in the ambulance, emergency room, or other hospital room to diagnose a suspected heart attack. Why do I need an EKG test? You may need an EKG test if you have symptoms of a heart disorder. These include: Chest pain Rapid heartbeat Arrhythmia it may feel like your heart has skipped a beat or is fluttering Shortness of breath Dizziness Fatigue You may also need this test if you: Have had a heart attack or other heart problems in the past Have a family history of heart disease Are scheduled for surgery.
Your health care provider may want to check your heart health before the procedure. Have a pacemaker. The EKG can show how well the device is working. Are taking medicine for heart disease. The EKG can show if your medicine is effective, or if you need to make changes in your treatment.
What happens during an EKG test? The atrioventricular node slows down the electrical signal before it continues to the ventricles. The process is supposed to be carried out smoothly, and an EKG will determine this efficiency.
A heart with a normal rhythm will beat between 60 and beats per minute. When the heart beats too fast, it is in tachycardia, and the resting heart rate will be more than beats per minute. If the resting heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute, it is in bradycardia. These issues may need to be treated with a pacemaker. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked.
Although this happens suddenly, the buildup that caused the blockage — a combination of cholesterol , fat, and other plaque-building materials — gathered over time.
An ECG electrocardiogram records the electrical activity of your heart at rest. It provides information about your heart rate and rhythm, and shows if there is enlargement of the heart due to high blood pressure hypertension or evidence of a previous heart attack myocardial infarction. However, it does not show whether you have asymptomatic blockages in your heart arteries or predict your risk of a future heart attack. You may need an ECG test if you have risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, or symptoms such as palpitations or chest pain.
Or you may need it if you already have heart disease. But in other cases, you may think twice about having this test. The test is not useful in routine checkups for people who do not have risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure or symptoms of heart disease, like chest pain. Yet, many people with no risk factors or symptoms have an ECG as part of their routine checkups.
There are better ways to prevent heart disease than routine ECGs. The ECG will not harm you. However, it can sometimes show mild nonspecific abnormalities that are not due to underlying heart disease, but cause worry and lead to follow-up tests and treatments that you do not need.
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