Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Author:  PD Dr. med. Gesche Tallen, Editor:  Maria Yiallouros, Reviewer:  Prof. Dr. med. Ursula Creutzig, English Translation:  Hannah McRae, Last modification: 2015/04/23 https://kinderkrebsinfo.de/doi/e30770

An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of the heart by using electrodes placed on the chest over a certain period of time. The electrodes monitor the electrical action created by the heart muscle during a heartbeat.

An ECG provides the doctor with information on the heart function. It also helps ruling out heart diseases, particularly those affecting the rhythm of the heart beat and the health of the heart muscle.