This common test records the electrical activity of the heart. The ECG measures the rate and regularity of heartbeats and can provide information about a variety of conditions, including the presence of previous damage to the heart, possible coronary artery disease and rhythm abnormalities.

 
This test is performed with the patient lying down. Electrodes are affixed to each arm, each leg and the chest. It is standard to use 10 to 12 leads. The electrodes detect the heart’s electrical impulses and transmit them to the ECG machine, which produces a graph of the impulses.

The electrodes detect the electrical impulses generated by the heart, and transmit them to the ECG machine. The ECG machine produces a graph (ECG tracing) of those cardiac electrical impulses.

Holter Monitoring

Also known as ambulatory monitoring, Holter monitoring utilizes a small, portable, battery-powered electrocardiogram machine that is worn by the patient for 24 to 48 hours while he/she goes about their daily activities. This records the patient’s ECG over a long period of time. The purpose of this test is to look for heart problems that may come and go and cannot be observed during the brief duration of a standard ECG. This test is usually performed to evaluate abnormal electrical activity of the heart, or determine a safe level of exercise.