Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)

Electrocardiograms at UVM Health

An electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) is a common test that records the electrical activity of the heart to learn more about the heart’s rhythm and chambers. An EKG is painless, non-invasive and takes only minutes to complete.

Why Choose UVM Health?

Coordinated, convenient care: As a patient of University of Vermont Health, you’re always connected to the expertise of a larger team of cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac radiologists, vascular surgeons and other specialists. Our cardiology and radiology teams work closely to analyze your tests results to ensure you receive an accurate, careful diagnosis that guides your treatment plan.
Walk-in EKGs: We offer walk-in EKG services at our UVM Medical Center non-invasive testing clinic.
Evidence-based, research-driven treatments: Many of our physicians are also active researchers that participate in and lead national clinical trials designed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular disease.

Types of EKGs

We offer several types of EKGs to assess your heart health:

Holter Monitor
Exercise EKG (Stress test)
Posterior EKG
Resting 12-lead EKG
Signal-averaged EKG

Conditions We Diagnose

Your provider may order an EKG to diagnose a variety of health concerns, including:

What to Expect

An EKG is painless and lasts 5-10 minutes.

Preparing for EKG

Limited preparation is required for an EKG. You may eat and drink as you normally would. Please wear a shirt or blouse that you can remove easily so that we can place the leads on your chest for the EKG. Before your EKG, please avoid using lotions, oils or creams on your skin. These products can prevent the electrodes from sticking properly and may affect the recording quality.

During the EKG

Your provider will place small patches (electrodes) on your chest and each arm and leg. Hair may need to be shaved and the area cleansed with alcohol to ensure good contact with the skin. The electrodes are hooked to the EKG machine that records your heart activity from 12 different views. You will be asked to lie quietly while the EKG is recording. The test takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and gives your provider a “baseline EKG,” which helps determine if there are any abnormalities in the heart’s electrical conduction while at rest.