Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
The Foundation of Cardiac Diagnosis
A Snapshot of Your Heart
An ECG is a simple, painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart. It is the most effective way for our doctors to determine if your heart is beating normally or if there are signs of heart disease, arrhythmia, or electrolyte imbalances.
Why it’s useful:
- Detects extra or skipped heartbeats
- Identifies signs of a previous heart attack
- Checks the health of the heart muscle
- Monitors the effects of heart medications
Is it painful?
No. Small, sticky sensors (electrodes) are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. You will feel nothing as the machine records the data.
How long?
The actual recording takes less than a minute. The entire process, including setup, usually takes under 10 minutes.
Preparation?
None. You can eat and drink normally. We recommend avoiding heavy lotions or oils on your chest on the day of the test.
Reading the Results
The ECG machine translates your heart's electrical impulses into "peaks and valleys" on graph paper. Our specialists analyze these patterns to determine the size and position of your heart chambers and the timing of your heartbeats. Results are typically available immediately following the procedure.
Regular heart checks start with an EKG.
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