Abstract: A method of gathering electrocardiographic data is disclosed wherein the EKG data is collected by sequentially monitoring the difference in electrical potential measured at each of at least three patient leads for a time period greater than 15 seconds, preferably for equal time periods of 20 seconds each. Although more than three leads and longer monitoring time periods may be used, a 60-second three-lead EKG data sample in accordance with the present invention is clinically sufficient to monitor cardiac function and to diagnose most cardiac dysfunctions.A system for collecting such electrocardiographic data is also disclosed. The system allows the collected data to be stored for later translation and interpretation. The stored data may also be communicated over phone lines for translation and interpretation at a remote site by trained individuals.