Reference Terms
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram, or ECG (also abbreviated EKG), is a medical test that records the electrical activity of the heart over time. It is a noninvasive and painless procedure that uses electrodes placed on the skin to detect the electrical signals generated with each heartbeat. These signals are displayed as waveforms on a monitor or printed graph, providing valuable information about the heart’s rhythm, rate, and electrical conduction.
ECGs are commonly used to diagnose a wide range of heart conditions, including arrhythmias, heart attacks, and abnormalities in heart structure. They can also help monitor the effects of medications or assess heart health before surgery. A standard ECG takes only a few minutes and is often performed in hospitals, clinics, or during routine physical exams.
Though simple and quick, the electrocardiogram is a powerful tool for detecting signs of cardiac problems, often before symptoms become apparent. It remains one of the most widely used tests in cardiovascular medicine.
Related Stories
1
2
Health & Medicine News
November 11, 2026
Nov. 11, 2026 A new study found that energy drinks and stimulant supplements were linked to disproportionately frequent reports of serious heart problems, including 11 times more reports of cardiac arrest and 4.5 times more reports of heart attacks. Young adults ...
Nov. 11, 2026 A surprising study of more than 4,500 older adults found that people who were overweight or obese when diagnosed with dementia had a 16% to 27% lower risk of death than those at a normal weight. Researchers suspect that extra energy and muscle ...
Nov. 11, 2026 Ancient manuscripts, including the 1,000-year-old York Gospels, have revealed traces of a deadly sheep virus whose history stretches back more than 3,700 years. Scientists discovered that the virus has remained remarkably unchanged for millennia, ...
Nov. 10, 2026 A surprising new weapon against microbes linked to head and neck cancer could be as simple as chewing gum. Scientists developed a bioengineered gum that reduced HPV levels by up to 93% in oral samples from cancer patients and nearly eliminated two ...
Nov. 10, 2026 New research involving more than 440,000 Americans links cannabis use to increased cardiovascular risk, with occasional users showing 40% higher odds of reporting a history of stroke. The findings suggest that even infrequent marijuana use may ...
Nov. 10, 2026 A major review of more than 350 studies suggests that eating less protein could slow aging, improve metabolic health, and potentially extend lifespan, challenging the widespread belief that more protein is always better. Researchers warn that many ...
Nov. 10, 2026 Even when bad cholesterol is brought down to healthy levels, some people remain at risk of heart attacks, and scientists may have discovered why. Researchers identified two types of fat-carrying particles that appear to promote inflammation and ...
Nov. 10, 2026 Scientists have discovered that tumors release natural antioxidants to shut down the immune cells responsible for destroying cancer, exploiting a surprising weakness in the body's defenses. Blocking this mechanism in mice restored immune activity ...
Nov. 9, 2026 A surprising discovery suggests that some early signs of Alzheimer’s disease may begin outside the brain. Using miniature laboratory systems made from human cells, scientists found that genetic mutations associated with inherited Alzheimer’s can ...
Nov. 9, 2026 Scientists have discovered that pantethine, a readily available vitamin B5 derivative, can calm overactive immune cells and may help fight psoriasis. The supplement prevented psoriasis in mice and showed promising results in a small human trial, ...
Nov. 9, 2026 Scientists have discovered that gut bacteria can feed on the protective mucus lining your intestines, producing potentially harmful compounds, but fiber helps keep this activity in check. Overlooked ...
Nov. 9, 2026 After more than 35 years of research, scientists have uncovered surprising clues about what really drives Lyme disease risk. Contrary to longstanding assumptions, deer populations appear less important than mice, which can fuel a 40% increase in ...
Latest Headlines
updated 12:56 pm ET
Nov. 9, 2026 A surprising new study from UCLA suggests that a naturally occurring molecule could help breast cancer survivors overcome the frustrating brain fog and exhaustion that can linger long after treatment ...
Nov. 9, 2026 A massive study of more than 120,000 older adults suggests that common osteoporosis drugs may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias by up to 24%. The surprising findings raise ...
Nov. 8, 2026 Scientists have discovered that a buildup of a protein called Miro1 may be a hidden driver of insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes, with preclinical experiments showing that removing it restores the ...
Nov. 8, 2026 Scientists at UC San Francisco have developed a powerful new cancer therapy that remains inactive until it reaches the brain, where it switches on to ...
Nov. 8, 2026 More than a century after Einstein revolutionized our understanding of gravity, scientists have uncovered a surprising new phenomenon hidden within ...
Nov. 8, 2026 Scientists have discovered that fasting for just 24 hours increases a beneficial gut bacterium that helps the intestines regenerate after radiation damage. The preclinical findings could pave the way ...
Nov. 8, 2026 MIT scientists have developed nanoparticles that reprogram immune cells directly inside the body to attack cancer and harmful immune cells, eliminating tumors and reversing liver damage in mouse ...
Nov. 8, 2026 A major international study tracking more than 26,000 men found that very low testosterone levels were associated with an 18% higher risk of dying from cancer later in life. Surprisingly, ...
Nov. 7, 2026 Scientists have discovered that sleep disorders are associated with structural changes in brain regions that control attention, decision-making, and emotions, potentially explaining why disrupted ...
Nov. 7, 2026 A surprising new study suggests that a stronger flu shot could offer older adults significantly greater protection against Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at UTHealth Houston analyzed nearly 200,000 ...