The EKG medical abbreviation stands for electrocardiogram, a quick, painless test that records the heart's electrical activity using stickers placed on the chest, arms and legs. EKG and ECG mean exactly the same thing.
The K comes from the German spelling, Elektrokardiogramm, and many US clinicians prefer EKG because ECG sounds close to EEG, the brain test. You will see either form on emergency notes, preoperative checklists and cardiology reports. This page covers what the tracing shows, how a report line reads and the related heart terms you may meet.
At a glance
Stands for
ElectrocardiogramWritten as
EKG, ECG, 12-leadWhy the K
From the German spelling ElektrokardiogrammUsed in
Emergency care, cardiology, primary care, surgeryDo not confuse with
EEG (brain waves) and echo (heart ultrasound)Takes about
A few minutes, with seconds of actual recording
EKG medical abbreviation and ECG: one test, two spellings
Both spellings are correct. Hospitals tend to pick one and use it in their forms, so you may see EKG in one note and ECG in the next for the same test. In ekg medical terminology, a 12-lead EKG is the standard resting study. It uses ten electrodes to view the heart's electrical signal from twelve angles.
The heart beats when a signal starts in its natural pacemaker and spreads through the chambers. Each part of the tracing matches a step in that journey.
The parts of the tracing
| Label | What it reflects |
|---|---|
| P wave | The upper chambers (atria) firing |
| PR interval | Time for the signal to pass to the lower chambers |
| QRS complex | The lower chambers (ventricles) firing |
| ST segment | A pause before recovery; changes can suggest reduced blood flow |
| T wave | The ventricles recovering for the next beat |
Readers also note the rate, the rhythm and the axis. A regular rhythm starting in the right place is called normal sinus rhythm.
Reading an EKG line in a note
Emergency note: "12-lead EKG: NSR at 78, normal axis, no acute ST changes. Troponin pending." The rhythm was normal at 78 beats a minute, and there were no signs of an active heart attack on the tracing, while a blood test was still being run.
Telemetry handoff: "Converted to SVT at 160, EKG done, provider aware." A fast rhythm appeared on the monitor, and a full tracing was taken to document it.
Why an EKG is ordered
- Chest pain, to look for signs of a heart attack.
- Palpitations, fainting or a fast or slow pulse.
- Before surgery, in some patients.
- Checking the effect of medicines that can alter rhythm.
- Follow-up of known heart conditions, such as thickened heart muscle or past heart attacks.
A normal tracing at rest does not show everything. Rhythm problems that come and go may need a wearable monitor, and blood flow problems may need a stress test.
EKG compared with other heart tests
| Test | What it shows |
|---|---|
| EKG or ECG | Electrical rhythm and signal pattern |
| Echo or TTE | Ultrasound pictures of pumping and valves |
| Holter monitor | Continuous rhythm recording over a day or more |
| Stress test | Heart response during exercise or medicine |
| EEG | Brain waves, not the heart |
Other heart and lab shorthand appears in the tests and imaging abbreviations index.
Getting an EKG
You lie flat, and staff place sticky pads on the chest, wrists or arms, and ankles. Small areas of chest hair may be trimmed so the pads stick. You stay still and breathe normally while the machine records for about ten seconds. Nothing is sent into the body. Lotions on the skin can loosen the pads, so skipping them that day helps.
A tracing is interpreted with your symptoms and history in mind. Ask the clinician who ordered it to explain what your own result shows.
Frequently asked questions
Is EKG the same as ECG?
Yes, they are the same test. The K version follows the German spelling and is popular in American hospitals, while ECG is used widely elsewhere and in many reports.
What does a 12-lead EKG mean?
It is the standard resting electrocardiogram, which uses ten electrodes to look at the heart's signal from twelve angles. Leads here means views, not wires.
Can an EKG show a heart attack?
It can show patterns that suggest a current or past heart attack. Doctors usually pair it with blood tests such as troponin, because an early tracing can look normal.
How long does an EKG take?
The recording takes about ten seconds, and the whole visit usually lasts a few minutes including placing and removing the pads.