What is the function of an EKG in relation to cardiac health?

The function of an EKG (electrocardiogram) is to monitor the electrical activity of the heart. This is crucial for assessing cardiac health, as it gives insights into how the heart is functioning electrically. The EKG records the timing and strength of these electrical signals as they travel through the heart, allowing healthcare providers to identify irregular heart rates, arrhythmias, and other potential heart issues.

By presenting a visual representation of the heart's electrical activity, an EKG can help detect problems such as ischemia (insufficient blood flow to the heart) or previous heart attacks. It provides essential information that aids in both diagnosis and treatment planning, making it an indispensable tool in cardiology.

Other options mention functions that do not relate directly to the primary purpose of an EKG. Providing oxygen to the heart muscle pertains to the circulatory system's function rather than the electrical assessment performed by an EKG. Measuring heart rate is part of what an EKG can indicate, but it does not encompass its broader role in assessing overall electrical activity. Diagnosing lung diseases is entirely unassociated with an EKG's purpose, as lung function is evaluated through different methods such as pulmonary function tests.