An electrocardiogram – or EKG – is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat and is used to identify problems that may reflect underlying heart conditions. To perform the test, the technician will gently clean ten areas on the patient’s chest and place small, flat, sticky patches, called electrodes, on the cleaned areas. The patches are attached to the EKG monitor that charts the heart's electrical activity during the test.

You do not need any special preparation for an EKG.