Cardiac Diagnostic Services
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
The electrocardiogram (EKG) is a non-invasive test of the electrical activity of the heart. It records the electrical currents that cause contraction of the heart muscle. The electrocardiogram can confirm or discount the clinical diagnosis in determining ventricular enlargement. It can also perform the following:
- Determining the cardiac mechanism
- Indicating the presence of myocardial change, in particular, myocardial death resulting from coronary occlusion
- Indicating the presence of myocardial injury and ischemia, as in angina pectoris
- Showing the effects and effectiveness of cardiac medications, such as digitalis and its derivatives
- Showing the presence of right or left ventricular hypertrophy
- Presenting evidence of defects in the conduction of impulses in the heart
- Indication of myocardial disease of general nature
- Establishing etiology, anatomic and physiologic cardiac diagnosis and prognosis when considered along with other clinical data
- Aiding in the treatment of cardiac disease
- To observe pacemaker performance
Patient Risk Factors
None.
Other Information
Sometimes an EKG may reveal abnormal waveforms only during episodes of symptoms, such as angina or during exercise.