EKG
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EKG
About 84 million Americans experience cardiovascular disease, yet many ignore signs of heart disease until they become detrimental. Dr. Brenda Vozza and the medical team at Brookridge Internal Medicine Associates in Longview, TX take early symptoms of heart disease seriously. They recommend an electrocardiogram, or EKG test, to monitor heart rhythm and identify any abnormalities. If you’re experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, call the practice or book online to schedule an appointment today.
What Is An EKG?
An EKG, or an electrocardiogram, is a simple test that measures your heart activity. Your doctor may recommend an EKG if you have a family history of heart disease, or you’re experiencing chronic shortness of breath, chest pain or palpitations, dizziness, or an irregular heartbeat. Results of an EKG can detect signs of coronary heart disease, which is when blood vessels to the heart become partially blocked.
What Are The Benefits Of An EKG?
An EKG is a vital diagnostic tool we use at Brookridge Internal Medicine Associates, P.A. in Longview, TX to assess the heart’s electrical activity. It provides valuable information that can help detect and monitor various cardiac conditions. Here are some of the key advantages of undergoing an EKG:
- Early detection of heart conditions
- Checking for abnormal heart rate patterns
- Finding causes behind chest pain or tightness
- Evaluating heart health before and after procedures
- Monitoring ongoing heart conditions
- Noninvasive and painless procedure
- Assessing overall heart health
- Pre-surgical clearance
- Tracking the effectiveness of pacemakers
Who Is A Candidate For An EKG?
Anyone who experiences symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath should see their doctor right away to get an EKG. Our professionals at Brookridge Internal Medicine Associates also suggest an EKG if you’re at risk for heart disease due to age, a family history of heart-related issues, or other medical conditions. An assessment is needed to identify if any of these factors put you at risk and may warrant an EKG. We can further discuss our recommendations during a comprehensive health assessment.
What Should I Do To Prepare For My EKG?
There is very little preparation you need to complete before your EKG test. On the day of your EKG, eat and drink normally. Avoid wearing greasy lotions or creams on your body that could make it difficult to attach the sticky patches to your skin. You should also wear a shirt that can easily be unbuttoned or removed during the course of the test. Tell your doctor about any medications that you’re taking.
If you have a family history of coronary heart disease or are experiencing heart issues, call Brookridge Internal Medicine Associates or book online to schedule an EKG today.
What Happens During An EKG?
An EKG is a painless, speedy procedure that tests the function of your heart. The test measures the normal electrical activity of the heart. It is essentially a risk-free procedure and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
During the test, your provider at Brookridge Internal Medicine Associates attaches 12 electrode sticky patches to your chest, arms, and legs to record pictures of different angles of your heart. After the test, your doctor can immediately view the results and review them with you.
An EKG can detect any abnormalities that occur during the test that may indicate a heart condition. Abnormalities may include:
- A heartbeat that is fast, slow, or irregular
- Electrolyte levels that are too high or too low
- Signs of a past, undetected heart attack
- Enlargement of the heart due to high blood pressure
- Abnormal thickness of the heart (hypertrophy)
- Abnormal structure of the heart
Often, heart conditions can be easily managed with medication, devices such as pacemakers, or lifestyle changes if identified early.
What Should I Expect After An EKG?
After an electrocardiogram, you can usually return home or to your normal activities. No aftercare instructions or downtime is required with this diagnostic test. However, results from the EKG test should be available immediately. Dr. Vozza or a member of our medical team will review the results, communicate the presence of any abnormalities, and offer any applicable next steps. In some cases, our team at Brookridge Internal Medicine Associates may recommend lifestyle changes, prescribe a medicine, or refer you to a cardiologist.