An electrocardiogram, also called an ECG or EKG, is a graphic record of the heart's electrical activity.
Healthcare providers use it to help diagnose heart disease.
They can also use it to monitor how well different heart medications are working. An ECG is done on a person to help diagnose heart disease. It may also be used to monitor how well different heart medications are working. Persons coming into the emergency room with chest pain, shortness of breath will have an ECG performed. An ECG may be necessary prior to a person having major surgery as a baseline tracing.