An electrocardiogram, ECG or EKG, is a quick, painless test that records the electrical activity of the heart. Small electrodes are placed on the surface of your skin to record the electrical signals from the heart. It may be done while you rest or during exercise. Your doctor uses an ECG to find out if your heart has a normal or abnormal rhythm. A normal ECG has identifiable waves in each cycle that are named the P wave, QRS complex, and T wave. The P wave is associated with activity in the atria (or upper chambers of the heart); the QRS complex and T wave are associated with activity in the ventricles (or lower chambers of the heart).
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