What is an EKG?

EKG stands for electrocardiogram. EKG’s are also referred to as an ECG. An EKG is done by placing electrodes on the chest. These electrodes record the electrical signals given off by the heart. These signals are represented as waves on a computer screen that is attached to the electrodes. The higher the wave, the higher the signal emitted by the heart and vice versa.

How does an EKG work?

An EKG is given by placing sensors on specific points on the chest. Each sensor has a sticky side that is placed on the chest. These sensors are connected to an EKG machine by a thin wire. Once a qualified technician properly places the sensors and ensures that the sensors are connected to the machine, you lie there and wait for a few minutes while the machine records your heart rate. Once the reading is complete, the technician will remove the sensors. The whole process is painless and takes around 10-12 minutes to complete – putting the sensors on and taking them off included. 

What is the purpose of an EKG?

EKG’s serve multiple purposes. One of the purposes of an EKG is to complete a physical exam and create a baseline that can be used to compare against other EKG’s. This can be done through the EKG evaluating symptoms like: shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and unexplained fatigue. Another purpose of an EKG is that EKG’s are used to determine how healthy a heart is and how well the heart is functioning before a procedure or surgery, so that the margin for risk is as minimized as possible. 

What do the results of an EKG mean?
The EKG can be used to determine a number of heart conditions. When the machine is on, it records your heart rate as lines on a piece of paper. The normal heart rate is anywhere between 60 to 100 beats per minute. The results of your EKG can either be normal or abnormal. If you have a normal heart rate, then your EKG rhythm will not have any significant pauses or breaks. This is called a sinus rhythm. A normal EKG includes the P wave, the QRS complex, or the T wave. The P wave shows the electrical activity that causes the atria to contract. The QRS Complex shows the electrical activity that causes the ventricles to contract. The T wave represents the ventricles returning to their resting state. Additionally, a normal EKG includes the PR interval which the time it takes for the electrical signal to travel from the atria to the ventricles (generally between 120 and 200 milliseconds) and the QT interval which the time it takes for the ventricles to contract and relax, should be within normal limits. On the other hand, an abnormal EKG can mean anything from an abnormal heart rate, irregular rhythm, abnormal waveforms or abnormal intervals. An abnormal EKG can mean either an extremely fast heart rate or an extremely slow heart rate. This could mean that there is something seriously wrong with the heart that needs to be checked or followed up right away.