The Electrocardiogram
  (ECG) records the 
  electrical activity that
  causes the heart to beat.

  The patient is hooked up
  with 12 plastic electrodes
  attached to your arms,
  legs, and chest.  They are
  connected to an
  electrocardiogram
  machine. The electrical
  activity of the heart is
  recorded from different
  areas of the heart for a
  few seconds.

The ECG provides valuable information about your heart that is very useful in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple conditions.

The ECG is indicated in the initial and follow-up assessment of patients with cardiovascular symptoms and/or related heart conditions.

• Chest discomfort, heaviness, tightness, or pain
• Shortness of breath with or without exertion
• Angina pectoris
• Coronary artery disease
• History of heart attack
• History of coronary artery bypass surgery
• Valvular heart disease
• Pericarditis
• High blood pressure
• Hypertensive heart disease
• Heart failure
• Rapid and/or a regular heart beats, palpitations, fluttering
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, weak- spells, near-syncope, syncope
• Atrial fibrillation,  and other heart rhythm (beating) of the heart
• Extra-beats
• Heart medications - such as diuretics, digitalis, beta blockers, calcium blockers, anti-arrhythmic agents, etc
• Electrolyte (minerals) abnormalities – potassium, calcium, etc.
• Changes in the rhythm (beating) of the heart
• Permanent pacemaker
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
• Non-heart medications that may affect the electrical activity of the heart, such as those that prolong the QT interval