The primary purpose of the EKG is to measure the electrical activity of your heart, ultimately providing vital information about the rate at which your heart is beating. It can also be used to determine if the heart muscle is performing as it should be, which can provide the necessary information to either make a diagnosis or make any necessary changes to a pre-existing one. An electrocardiogram (EKG) often provides your physician with additional insights into the health and function of your heart to make a more comprehensive diagnosis. An EKG can detect the following issues:  - An abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) - Abnormal blood and oxygen levels - An enlarged heart or other defects - Heart aneurysms - Past heart attacks - Coronary artery disease - Issues with cardiac equipment, such as a pacemaker