As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can explain that an ECG (Electrocardiogram) is a non-invasive test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It's a crucial diagnostic tool used to detect and monitor a variety of heart conditions.

Here's a step-by-step explanation of what an ECG does:


1. Placement of Electrodes: Small electrodes are placed on the patient's limbs and chest to pick up the electrical signals from the heart.

2. Recording the Heart's Rhythm: The ECG machine records the heart's rhythm, which is the pattern of its electrical impulses. These impulses cause the heart to contract and pump blood.

3. Identifying Heart Conditions: By analyzing the ECG tracing, doctors can identify conditions such as:
- Arrhythmias: Irregular heart rhythms.
- Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack): Evidence of a heart attack can be seen as changes in the ECG waves.
- Hypertrophy: Enlargement of the heart muscle.
- Ischemia: Reduced blood supply to the heart.
- Long QT Syndrome: A heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, chaotic beats.


4. Assessing Heart Health: An ECG can also be used to monitor the effects of medications or procedures on the heart.

The ECG is a quick, painless, and safe test that provides valuable information about the heart's function and is often the first test conducted when someone is experiencing symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath.

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An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test which measures the electrical activity of your heart to show whether or not it is working normally. An ECG records the heart's rhythm and activity on a moving strip of paper or a line on a screen.read more >>