What do ecg measure

An electrocardiogram EKG measures your heart's electrical activity. Find out what an abnormal EKG means and understand your treatment options. A stress echocardiogram tests how well your heart and blood vessels are working, especially under stress.

Images of the heart are taken during a…. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which your heart muscle is thicker than normal. Get information on risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and more. Experts say there are a number of ways to make it easier to go to bed at a proper time, including when you exercise and when you eat. Left bundle branch block is a condition in which there's slowing along the electrical pathway to your heart's left ventricle.

Ejection fraction is a test that's used to determine the percentage of blood that leaves your left ventricle each time your heart beats. A new study of over 2. Experts say middle-aged people with iron deficiency have a higher risk of heart disease later. You can increase iron levels with diet and supplements. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R. They record the electrical signals that make your heart beat. A computer records the information and displays it as waves on a monitor or on paper.

You can breathe normally during the test, but you will need to lie still. Make sure you're warm and ready to lie still. Moving, talking or shivering may distort the test results.

A standard ECG takes a few minutes. Your doctor may discuss your results with you the same day as your electrocardiogram or at your next appointment. If your electrocardiogram is normal, you may not need any other tests. If the results show an abnormality with your heart, you may need another ECG or other diagnostic tests, such as an echocardiogram. Treatment depends on what's causing your signs and symptoms.

Your doctor will review the information recorded by the ECG machine and look for any problems with your heart, including:. If your doctor finds any problems on your ECG , he or she may order additional tests to see if treatment is necessary. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Electrocardiogram Open pop-up dialog box Close. Generally, an ECG follows this process: You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the test. You will be asked to remove clothing from the waist up.

The technician will ensure your privacy by covering you with a sheet or gown and exposing only the necessary skin. You will lie flat on a table or bed for the test. It will be important for you to lie still and not talk during the ECG, so that you don't alter the tracing. If your chest, arms, or legs are very hairy, the technician may shave or clip small patches of hair, as needed, so that the electrodes will stick closely to the skin. Electrodes will be attached to your chest, arms, and legs.

The lead wires will be attached to the electrodes. Once the leads are attached, the technician may enter identifying information about you into the machine's computer. The ECG will be started. It will take only a short time for the tracing to be completed. Once the tracing is completed, the technician will disconnect the leads and remove the skin electrodes. What happens after an electrocardiogram? Rule out hidden heart disease in patients about to undergo surgery. How do you prepare?

What can you expect? An ECG is a non-invasive procedure, which means that nothing is injected into the body. It is painless. A number of electrodes — usually a total of 12 to 15 — are attached to various locations on your body including your arm, leg and chest. The electrodes are attached by small suction cups or adhesive patches.