Electrocardiograms

An electrocardiogram ECG, also called an EKG, is a simple, painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart. It is done by placing patches with metal contacts (electrodes) on a person's arms, legs, and chest, which are hooked up to an ECG machine. These electrodes measure the electrical impulses in the heart and record them on a moving strip of paper. An ECG also gives information about the heart's rhythm and the size of the different heart chambers. A 12-lead ECG means that there are 12 tracings that can give a view of the heart from 12 different angles. With this type of ECG, your doctor can tell which part of the heart you are having a heart attack in.