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An electrocardiograph is a machine that records the electrical activity of the heart. The recording it produces is called an electrocardiogram, often shortened to ECG or EKG. Electrodes placed on the chest, arms, and legs detect electrical signals from each heartbeat. Clinicians use the tracing to check heart rate, rhythm, and signs of strain or injury.
read more about electrocardiograph ...Sticky electrodes are placed on the skin and connected to the machine by lead wires. The machine records the heart's electrical signals from different angles. A standard 12-lead ECG uses multiple views to show how electrical impulses move through the heart. The test is quick, painless, and does not send electricity into the body.
An electrocardiograph can be used for chest pain, palpitations, fainting, shortness of breath, dizziness, or suspected heart rhythm changes. It can also be used before surgery, during emergency care, or to monitor heart medicines and devices. The test gives a short snapshot of heart activity. If symptoms come and go, a Holter monitor or event monitor can be needed.
An ECG can show fast rhythms, slow rhythms, irregular rhythms, conduction delays, and signs that can suggest poor blood flow or past heart injury. It can also show changes related to electrolytes or some medicines. The tracing does not diagnose every heart condition by itself. A clinician reviews the ECG with symptoms, exam findings, blood tests, imaging, and medical history.
Skin should be clean and dry so electrodes stick well. Lotions, sweat, hair, or movement can affect signal quality. The test is noninvasive and has no radiation exposure. Tell the care team about chest pain, implanted heart devices, medicines, or symptoms happening during the test.
Not exactly. The electrocardiograph is the machine, while the ECG or EKG is the tracing or test result produced by the machine.
No. The test should not hurt, though removing sticky electrodes can tug on skin or hair. The machine records signals and does not shock you.
No. A normal ECG does not rule out every heart condition, especially if symptoms are not happening during the test. Your clinician can recommend more testing if symptoms continue.
Electrodes on the limbs and chest give the machine different views of the heart's electrical activity. These views help create a more complete ECG tracing.
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG Test). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/16953-electrocardiogram-ekg. Date Accessed May 27, 2026.
Electrocardiogram. MedlinePlus Medical Test. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/electrocardiogram/. Date Accessed May 27, 2026.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ekg/about/pac-20384983. Date Accessed May 27, 2026.
Electrocardiogram. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/electrocardiogram. Date Accessed May 27, 2026.
Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/electrocardiogram. Date Accessed May 27, 2026.