An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a simple, painless, and quick test that records the electrical signals in the heart. It is a non-invasive way to help diagnose many common heart problems and monitor the hearts health. During the test, electrodes are placed on the chest to record the hearts electrical signals, which cause the heart to beat. The signals are shown as waves on an attached computer monitor or printer. ECG machines are standard equipment in operating rooms and ambulances, and some personal devices, such as smartwatches, offer ECG monitoring.

An ECG test is often the first test youll have if you have signs of a heart condition. It may be done in your providers office, an outpatient clinic, in a hospital before surgery, or as part of another heart test called a stress test. The test is used to help diagnose and monitor many types of heart conditions and their treatment, including arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, and heart attack. ECG results can give a healthcare provider details about heart rate, heart rhythm, and the strength and timing of the electrical signals passing through each part of the heart.

An EKG is a very quick and pain-free test that your healthcare provider can do to check your heart rhythm and evaluate your heart. It doesn’t take long and doesn’t cause pain, but it can tell your healthcare provider if you have a heart problem. The risks associated with ECG are minimal and rare.