What Is an EKG and How Does It Work?
An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a simple and non-invasive test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. Every heartbeat is triggered by an electrical impulse, and an EKG records this activity as wave patterns on a monitor or paper. These wave patterns can reveal how well the heart is functioning and can help identify irregularities in the heart's rhythm, structure, or electrical conduction. The test provides crucial insights into the heart’s health and is often used to diagnose or monitor various cardiac conditions.
The EKG works by placing electrodes on the skin, usually on the chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes detect the electrical signals generated by the heart with each beat. The information is then transmitted to an EKG machine, which interprets the signals and produces a graph representing the heart's electrical activity over time. The different parts of the graph, such as the P-wave, QRS complex, and T-wave, correspond to different stages of the heart's electrical cycle, helping doctors identify potential abnormalities.
