Electrocardiogram

In this test, the heart’s electrical activity is recorded through electrodes placed on your skin. Electrocardiograms (ECGs or EKGs) give your doctor a picture (tracing) of your heart’s electrical activity. This simple test records abnormal electrical activity of the heart. Electrodes are placed on the arms and chest to monitor electrical activity, which is drawn as a series of peaks and valleys on graph paper. Information can be obtained during rest or exercise. Sometimes a 24-hour ECG (Holter monitor) is used to show changes in rhythm over time as you go about daily activities.