Electrocardiogram

What to Expect

During the Procedure

• Description of the room, monitoring devices, positions, and equipment that will be used - An EKG may be performed almost anywhere, as the equipment is very compact and portable. Thus, you may have an EKG done in your physician's office, the EKG department of a hospital or clinic, in a procedure or testing area, in the Emergency Department, or even in a hospital room or bed. The equipment used includes the EKG machine, skin electrodes, and lead wires, which attach the electrodes to the EKG machine. You will lie flat on a table or bed for the procedure. It will be important for you to lie still and not talk during the procedure, so as not to interfere with the tracing.
  
  
• Anesthesia - None required.
  
  
• Basic description of the procedure:
  
  
  1. The EKG technician will ask you to remove your shirt or blouse, and will ensure your privacy by covering you with a sheet or gown and exposing only the necessary skin.
     
     
  2. If your chest, arms, or legs are very hairy, the technician may shave very small patches, as needed, so that the electrodes will stick closely to the skin.
     
     
  3. Eight electrodes will be attached to your chest and one electrode will be attached to each arm and leg.
     
     
  4. The lead wires will be attached to the skin electrodes.
     
     
  5. Once the leads are attached, the technician may key in identifying information about you into the machine's computer.
     
     
  6. The EKG is started. It will take approximately 5 minutes or less for the tracing to be completed.
     
     
  7. Once the tracing is completed, the technician will disconnect the leads and remove the skin electrodes. You may then put on your shirt or blouse.
     
     
  8. When the procedure is completed, you may leave unless instructed otherwise by your physician.
     
     
• Procedure time - The entire procedure normally takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes. However, events such as schedule delays, emergencies, and other factors may delay the start of your procedure, or prolong the length of it.

After the Procedure

• Recovery - There is normally no recovery necessary after this procedure.
  
  
• Length of stay - No hospital stay is necessary, unless your physician determines that your condition requires further observation or hospital admission.
  
  
• Recuperation time - None.
  
  
• Outcome - Depending on the results of the EKG, additional tests or procedures may be scheduled for further diagnostic information.

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