Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

EKG

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Susan Kinzer, M.P.H.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: October 2002
Last Revision Date: October 2002

• What is this procedure?
• Why does my child need this procedure?
• What are the benefits?
• What are the risks?
• Is it painful?
• How do we prepare for this procedure?
• How is it done?
• What care will my child need after the procedure?
• What do the results mean?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is an EKG?

• EKG stands for electrocardiogram.
• It is also called an ECG.
• EKGs measure the electrical activity in the heart.

Why does my child need an EKG?

• EKGs are usually done to see if your childís heart has problems.
• EKGs commonly test:
• How fast the heart is beating
• If the heart is beating properly
• Heart size
• Position of heart in the body
• Possible infection
• New or old injuries

What are the benefits?

• EKGs give your doctor valuable information about your childís heart.
• The information could save his life.
• The results can show if his heart has a problem.
• It can help your doctor with treatment choices.

What are the risks?

• There is little or no risk.
• It measures the electrical activity in the heart.
• Your child does not need to worry about electric shock. No electricity is passed from the EKG machine.

Is it painful?

• No. An EKG is a painless test.

How do we prepare for an EKG?

• Ask your doctor how the EKG is done.
• Prepare your child. Talk to him about what is going to happen.

How is an EKG done?

• Your child will lie on a bed or examination table.
• Special stickers called leads or electrodes are placed on the skin of his arms, legs, and chest. They may feel a little cold at first.
• The leads pick up the electrical activity in the heart and send the information to the EKG machine.
• The EKG machine takes the information and makes it into a line drawing on paper called an electrocardiograph.
• EKGs only take five to ten minutes to do.

What care will my child need after the EKG?

• No special care is needed.

What do the results mean?

• The EKG is ready right away.
• Your doctor will need time to look at it and decide what it means.
• If your childís EKG is abnormal, it can mean that his heart has a problem. The problem needs to be treated.

When should I call the doctor?

• Call your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your childís problem.

Quick Answers

• An EKG is also called an ECG. It stands for electrocardiogram.
• It measures the electrical activity in your childís heart.
• It is usually done to see if your childís heart has a problem.
• EKGs are painless.
• Special stickers called leads are placed on the skin. The leads pick up the information from the heart and bring it to the EKG machine. The machine then makes a line drawing on paper.
• If your childís EKG is abnormal, it can mean that his heart has a problem.
• Call your doctor when you have any questions about your childís condition.

References

• KidsHealth for Parents. EKG (Electrocardiography). 2001 June. (cited 2002 August 22). URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/ekg.html
• WebMD Health. Electrocardiography. 2000 July 1. (cited 2002 August 22). URL: http://my.webmd.com/encyclopedia/article/1675.55566
• What You Need To Know About. Heart Disease/Cardiology. The electrocardiogram (ECG, or EKG). 2002. (cited 2002 August 22). URL: http://heartdisease.about.com/library/blecg.htm

Title Page

See related Patient Topics Heart and Circulation, Heart Diseases--General, Laboratory Tests, Procedures and Therapies or Seniors' Health.

See related Provider Topics Heart and Circulation, Heart Diseases--General, Laboratory Tests, Procedures and Therapies or Seniors' Health.

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