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Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

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Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis or individual treatment advice via e-mail. Please consult your physician about your specific health care concerns.

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Electrocardiogram - Risks

Alternative Names

ECG; EKG

What the risks are:

There are generally no risks. An ECG only monitors the heart's electrical activity. No electricity is sent through the body, so there is no risk of shock.

Special considerations:

The accuracy of the ECG depends on the condition being tested. Some heart conditions are not detectable all the time, and others may never produce any specific ECG changes.

A person who has had a heart attack or who may have heart disease may need more than one ECG. There is no reason for healthy people to undergo annual testing unless they have a family history of heart disease or another medical condition.

  • Reviewed last on: 9/3/2008
  • Larry A. Weinrauch MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Outcomes Research, Watertown, MA.. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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