Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

Atrial fibrillation (often referred to as an irregular heartbeat) is the most common type of heart arrhythmia. It can cause a clot that travels to the brain, which can lead to a stroke.

The electrocardiogram test can help assess your risk for atrial fibrillation, silent heart attack, and ischemia.

Electrocardiography uses skin electrodes to record the electrical activity of the heart over time. It is a noninvasive recording produced by an electrocardiographic device.

Each heart muscle cell has a charge across its outer wall. When this charge drops towards zero, the cell contracts. An electrocardiogram monitors this electrical activity and "rhythm" of the heart by translating this electrical activity into line tracings called waves. These waves also help to measure how well implanted mechanical devices, such as pacemakers, are working to control abnormal heart rhythm.