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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.

ECG

Atrioventricular block, ECG tracing

High blood pressure tests

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

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.

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