ECG; EKG

There are no risks. No electricity is sent through the body, so there is no risk of shock.

The accuracy of the ECG depends on the condition being tested. A heart problem may not always show up on the ECG. Some heart conditions never produce any specific ECG changes.

If you have had a heart attack or have heart disease, you may need more than one ECG. Your doctor will tell you when you need the next one.

There is no reason for healthy people to have yearly ECG testing unless they have a family or personal history of specific heart diseases or other medical conditions that affect the heart.

Images

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Atrioventricular block, ECG tracing

Electrocardiogram (ECG) - interactive tool

High blood pressure tests

ECG

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Electrocardiogram Results

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Electrocardiogram Prevention

Review Date: 05/23/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)