ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (EKG OR ECG)

The purpose of this test is to measure the electrical activity, rate, and rhythm of your heartbeat and also the approximate size of your heart. Electrodes are attached to your arms, legs, and chest. Then the electrodes are attached to a machine which reads the output of activity from your heart. This test may show if you've had a heart attack in the past or if you are currently having a heart attack, strain, or thickening of the heart muscle. EKG's typically take about five minutes.