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Published on Heart Care Centre (http://www.heartcarecentre.co.nz/core)

Electrocardiogram

Definition:

The ECG is a device used to record on graph paper the electrical activity of the heart. The picture is drawn by a computer from information supplied by the electrodes.

Your doctor uses the ECG to:

To prepare:

What to expect:

During a resting ECG, a technician will attach 10 electrodes with adhesive pads to the skin of your chest, arms and legs. Men may have chest hair shaved to allow a better connection. You will lie flat while the computer creates a picture, on graph paper, of the electrical impulses travelling through your heart.

It takes about 10 minutes to attach the electrodes and complete the test, but the actual recording takes only a few seconds.

Your ECG patterns will be kept on file for comparison with future ECG recordings.

If you have questions, ask your doctor.


Source URL:
http://www.heartcarecentre.co.nz/core/node/19