An EKG is an important part of the initial evaluation of a patient who is suspected to have a heart-related problem. Small sticky electrodes are applied to the patient’s chest, arms, and legs. However, with some systems, the electrodes may be applied to the chest, shoulders and the sides of the lower chest, or hips. Wires are used to connect the patient to an Electrocardiogram machine. You will be asked to remain very still while a nurse or technician records the EKG. The electrical activity created by the patient’s heart is processed by the Electrocardiogram machine and then printed on a special graph paper. This is then interpreted by your physician. It takes a few minutes to apply the EKG electrodes, and one minute to make the actual recording.