What is an electrocardiogram?
An electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG or ECG, is a non-invasive heart-related test that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart.
Cardiologists commonly use EKGs to evaluate your heart’s electrical function. Often this is the first test done to determine if you have heart disease. It can also be used to diagnose a variety of heart conditions such as arrhythmias and heart attacks. It can measure any damage to your heart, your heartbeat, effects of devices or medications for your heart and the size and position of the chambers of your heart.
Why you might need one:
A Cardiologist may order an EKG if:
- You are experiencing chest pain or discomfort
- You are experiencing heart rhythm problems such as if your heart is beating too fast or two slow, which may be caused by atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia
- They suspect you may be having a heart attack. An EKG can help determine the location and severity of damage.
- You are short of breath; an EKG can help identify the cause.
- You have high blood pressure. An EKG can be used to assess the effect of high blood pressure on your heart
Generally speaking, a Cardiologist may order an EKG as part of a routine examination or to investigate specific symptoms or concerns. If you are healthy, and don’t have family history of heart disease, you probably don’t need an EKG.
Risks:
There are no risks associated with this test.
How to prepare:
To prepare for an EKG, you’ll want to be sure your provider knows all the medications you are taking. Some drugs, such as beta blockers, can interfere with accurate test results. You should not exercise or even drink cold water before your EKG, as they could prohibit accurate readings. Talk with your provider before your test to ensure you understand what you should and should not do prior to your test.
What to expect:
During an EKG, you’ll lay down on a table and small electrodes are placed on your chest, arms and legs. These electrodes can detect the electrical impulses generated by your heart. These impulses are then recorded and displayed on a monitor and can also be printed on paper. The recorded EKG shows the pattern of electrical activity in the heart as it beats, including the time between heartbeats (the interval) as well as the amount of electrical activity that passes through your heart. No electricity is sent through your body during this test and it is painless. The information captured from the test can be used by trained Cardiologists to identify abnormalities in your heart rate, rhythm and other aspects of how your heart functions.
Results:
After the EKG is complete, your Cardiologist will need to review your results. Generally speaking, a normal test should show your heart beating evenly at a rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute. An abnormal EKG can indicate things such as a heart defect, coronary artery disease, abnormal heart rhythms, heart valve disease, an enlarged heart or even indicate that you may have had a heart attack in the past or are at risk for one in the future. Even if an EKG doesn’t detect a heart problem, you may still have a heart condition. Other tests may be needed if your Cardiologist suspects there are other issues.