ECG Overview:

Your doctor may suggest you get an electrocardiogram also called an EKG or ECG — to check for signs of heart disease.The electrocardiograph records the electrical activity of the heart muscle and displays this data as a trace on a screen or on paper. This data is then interpreted by a medical practitioner.

Objective of the ECG test :

ECG’s are quick, safe, and painless. With this test, your doctor will be able to:

• Check your heart rhythm
• See if you have poor blood flow to your heart muscle.
• Diagnose a heart attack
• Check on things that are abnormal, such as thickened heart muscle

There is no need to restrict food or drink before having an ECG test. Always let your doctor know what medications you are taking before you have an ECG, and if you have any allergies to adhesive tapes that may be used to attach electrodes.

When you go for an ECG test, you will need to remove your upper clothing so that electrodes can be attached to your chest and limbs. (For women, wearing a separate top with trousers or a skirt can allow easy access to the chest.) The selected sites are shaved, if necessary.

During the test you’ll lie flat while a computer creates a picture, on graph paper, of the electrical impulses that move through your heart. This is called a “resting” EKG, although the same test may be used to check your heart while exercise.

After an ECG procedure:

When the procedure is completed, the electrodes are removed. An ECG is completely painless and non-invasive, as the skin is not penetrated. The doctor can interpret the results of your ECG straight away based on your medical history, symptoms and clinical examination.

Reference : https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-electrocardiogram-ecg-1745304