Overview of an Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

An electrocardiogram, often called an ECG or EKG, is a simple and quick test that measures the electrical activity of your heart. Small sensors, called electrodes, are placed on your skin to detect the electrical signals your heart produces each time it beats. These signals are recorded by a machine and displayed as a series of waves on a graph. Health care providers use ECGs to check for various heart conditions, such as irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), heart attacks, and other heart problems.