> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sonohealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Home EKG Monitoring: What It Can and Can't Tell You

> How a personal single-lead EKG works, what it can and can't detect, and how to use home heart-rhythm recordings responsibly alongside medical care.

A personal EKG (electrocardiogram) lets you capture your heart's rhythm at home — useful for documenting symptoms that come and go and won't appear during a brief office visit. But a home EKG is a screening and tracking tool, not a diagnosis, and understanding that line is essential.

<Warning>
  A personal EKG cannot rule out a heart attack or other serious heart problems. If you have chest pain, pressure, fainting, or severe shortness of breath, **call 911** — do not wait to record a trace.
</Warning>

## What does an EKG measure?

An EKG records the electrical signals that make your heart beat, showing your heart **rate** (how fast) and **rhythm** (the pattern). That rhythm trace is what can reveal irregularities such as [atrial fibrillation](/ekg/atrial-fibrillation). A simple pulse or fitness-tracker heart rate tells you speed only; an EKG shows the electrical pattern behind it.

## Single-lead home EKG vs. 12-lead clinical EKG

A clinical **12-lead EKG** records your heart from twelve angles at once and is the standard for diagnosing many conditions, including heart attacks. A **single-lead** home device captures one viewpoint — enough to show rate and rhythm and to flag some irregularities, but not the full diagnostic picture. Home devices shine at catching **intermittent** symptoms you can then show your doctor.

## What a home EKG is good for

* **Documenting palpitations** or skipped beats when they actually happen — see [heart palpitations](/ekg/heart-palpitations).
* **Tracking a known rhythm issue** between cardiology visits.
* **Screening prompts** — some devices flag patterns that may suggest AFib, a cue to seek care.

## What it can't do

It can't diagnose heart disease, confirm AFib on its own, or replace a clinician's interpretation. Motion, poor skin contact, and dry or cold hands can also reduce trace quality. Any abnormal or worrying recording should be reviewed by a doctor.

## Using the EKGraph responsibly

The SonoHealth **EKGraph** is an FDA-cleared personal EKG monitor designed for simple at-home recordings you can save and share with your healthcare provider. Capture a trace during symptoms, keep a log, and bring it to your appointment. See it on the [EKGraph product page](https://sonohealth.com/products/ekgraph-portable-ekg-monitor-detect-afib-abnormalities).

## EKGraph at a glance

|                    |                                                                                    |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Reading time       | \~30 seconds, result shown on a built-in screen                                    |
| Recording methods  | 4 (hand-to-hand, wrist-to-hand, hand-to-ankle, chest-to-hand — Lead I & II)        |
| Flags              | No Abnormalities, Arrhythmia, Bradycardia, Tachycardia, ST changes, 10+ categories |
| Storage            | Free unlimited cloud storage, no subscription; PDF export                          |
| Regulatory / price | FDA 510(k) cleared · \$79 · 2-year warranty · 60-day trial · FSA/HSA eligible      |

These are screening categories to review with a clinician, not diagnoses.

***

**Related:** [Atrial Fibrillation Explained](/ekg/atrial-fibrillation) · [Best Home EKG for AFib](/ekg/best-home-ekg-for-afib) · [Best Personal EKG for Seniors](/ekg/best-personal-ekg-for-seniors) · [EKGraph vs. KardiaMobile](/ekg/ekgraph-vs-kardiamobile) · [Heart Palpitations](/ekg/heart-palpitations)