An electrocardiogram or ECG measures the electrical activity of your heart. Analysis of the results can indicate any damage to the heart muscle. The test may also detect changes in heart rhythm as well as abnormalities in the signals themselves. An ECG can be used to assess if you have had a heart attack or evidence of a previous heart attack.
What's involved in having an ECG?
Electrodes are placed on your wrists, ankles and chest as you relax. The electrodes are connected to a machine recording all the electrical signals from your heart. An ECG is a completely painless test and takes less than a minute to perform once the leads are in position. After the test, the electrodes are removed.
Your doctor will review the readings of the ECG machine which appear as a series of waves.