Why is it EKG and not ECG?

As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can explain the difference between the terms EKG and ECG. The terms EKG and ECG are used interchangeably to refer to the same medical test, which is the recording of the electrical activity of the heart. The confusion arises from the different ways the test's name has been anglicized from its original German term. The full name of the test in English is "electrocardiogram." However, when this term is translated into German, it becomes "Elektro-kardiographie." The spelling EKG is derived from the German pronunciation and spelling of the word, which is why some people, particularly those in regions with a strong German influence or those who are more familiar with the German medical terminology, might use the term EKG. On the other hand, ECG is the more commonly used term in English-speaking countries and is the anglicized version of "electrocardiogram" that has been widely adopted in medical communities worldwide. In essence, whether a medical professional or a patient refers to the test as an EKG or an ECG, they are talking about the same procedure.

The fact of the matter is that an ECG and an EKG are the exact same thing. ... It's actually quite simple��when the word electrocardiogram is translated into the German language, it is spelled Elektro-kardiographie. EKG is just the way some people choose to say ECG based on this translation.