OLD EKG is where you store a copy of your old EKG for easy rapid retrieval of this very important document. When you end up in the emergency department with chest pain, one of the most important pieces of data the doctors will need is a copy of your old EKG. The decision to take a patient to the cardiac catheterization lab or give clot busting medicine must be made within the first few minutes of your visit. Often a patient undergoes one of these treatments based on his emergency department EKG when in fact if an old EKG was available for comparison and showed NO difference between them the patient could avoid one of those treatments which carry a risk of significant complications. If you are not in your home hospital it is nearly impossible for the emergency department to obtain a copy of your old EKG within the time frame necessary to care for you appropriately during this potential life threatening event.