An electrocardiogram is an important part of the initial evaluation of a patient who is suspected to have a heart related problem. There are 12 small sticky electrodes that applied to the patient’s chest, arms and legs. However, with some systems, the electrodes may be applied to the chest, shoulders and the sides of the lower chest, or hips. The wires are used to connect the patient to the ele Comparing Rulers ctrocardiogram machine. The patient will be asked to remain very still while a nurse or technician records the EKG. The electrical activity created by the patient’s heart is processed by the EKG machine and then printed on a special graph paper. This is then interpreted by your physician. It takes a few minutes to apply the EKG electrodes, and one minute to make the actu Comparing Rulers  al recording. The EKG is extremely safe and there is no risk involved. In rare cases, some people may develop skin irritation from the electrode adhesive, but no serious allergic reactions have been reported. The EKG can provide important information about the patient’s heart rhythm, a previous heart attack, increased thickness of heart muscle, and signs of decreased oxygen delivery to the heart, and problems with conduction of the electrical current from one portion of the heart to another. What Is EKG? The basic importance of electrocardiogram are diagnosing irregularities in the heart, record changes in the heart, and establish baseline for other EK Comparing Rulers G by using the electrocardiogram machine. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a quick, painless test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It may be taken at rest or during exercise. It is the standard clinical tool for diagnosing arrhythmias (abnormal rhythms) and to check if your heart is getting enough blood or if areas of your heart are abnormally thick. Small patches called electrodes are placed on different parts of the body. Different tracings of the heart’s electrical activity can be made and permanently recorded on paper or in a computer. Three major waves of electric signals appear on the ECG. Each one shows a different part of the heartbeat. The P wave records the electrical activity of the atria. The QRS wave records Comparing Rulers  the electrical activity of the ventricles, and the T wave records the heart’s return to the resting state. Doctors study the shape and size of the waves, the time between waves and the rate and regularity of beating. Importance of Electrocardiogram>