electrocardiogram
Medical term EKG and Cardiovascular Testing
A tracing of the heart's electrical activity recorded from electrodes on the skin.
Related terms
- defibrillationDelivering an electric shock to the heart to stop a life-threatening rhythm so a normal rhythm can return.
- depolarizationThe electrical change in heart or nerve cells that triggers contraction or a signal.
- diastoleThe phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and the chambers fill.
- dysrhythmiaAn abnormal heart rhythm; also called arrhythmia.
- electrodeA sensor placed on the skin that picks up the heart's electrical signals for the EKG.
- heart blockAn interruption in the heart's normal electrical conduction pathway, such as an AV block.
- Holter monitorA portable EKG recorder worn during normal activity, usually for 24 to 48 hours (Merck: 24 hours to 14 days).
- isoelectric lineThe flat baseline on an EKG when no electrical activity is recorded.