An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a test that measures the electrical signals produced by the heart as it beats. Small sensors called electrodes are placed on the skin of the chest, arms, and legs to detect these signals. The ECG machine then shows the heartbeat pattern on a monitor or prints it on paper, revealing how fast the heart is beating and whether the rhythm is normal or irregular.
ECG is important because it helps doctors detect many heart problems, such as:
Arrhythmias: abnormal heart rhythms that can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
Heart attacks: it can show if a heart attack is happening or has happened recently.
Heart damage: it can reveal if parts of the heart muscle are damaged or not working properly.
Blocked arteries: it can suggest if blood flow to the heart is reduced due to blockages.
Other heart conditions: it helps monitor pacemakers or effects of medications.
The test is fast, painless, and safe. It provides important information that guides doctors in choosing the right treatment or emergency care. ECG is used during regular checkups, before surgeries, in emergency rooms, and to track heart health over time.
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