An electrocardiogram which is the full name of an EKG is a test performed on a patient to detect if he has a heart problem. And you can have the EKG testing in a healthcare facility, which is a painless process that helps monitor the heart’s health. It does this by calculating the electrical activity in your heart.
As your heart beats, it sends an electrical wave through the tissue. That leads to blood pumping through the arteries and throughout your body. Then the EKG results will determine if the heart’s electrical activity is regular or irregular. It shows if there are structural irregularities.
Why you Need EKG Test
EKG testing is helpful as it assesses how the entire heart system operates. It might include a routine medical exam for middle-aged or older people since they have a higher risk of heart disease, unlike younger people.
Doctors may recommend it to:
- Determine the reason for your chest pain
- Get the statistical measurement of your heart activity.
- Diagnose arrhythmias
- Evaluate symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, severe tiredness, fainting, or possible heart-related problems.
- Diagnose the inflammation of the heart.
- Check for narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.
- Identify if there is any damage to heart muscles or valves.
- Check the effectiveness of heart condition treatments.
If you suspect you have any of the mentioned symptoms, you can check an EKG testing near me.
The Procedure of EKG Testing
Since the EKG procedure is non-invasive, it requires no special pre. However, there are a few crucial considerations:
- Remove jewelry or other objects you could be wearing which might interfere with the test.
- Skip the oily or greasy skin creams on the day of your test. They may prevent the electrodes from touching your skin, which is the core goal. Wear short-length stockings, so the electrodes can smoothly get on your legs.
- Wear a shirt that is easy to remove since you’ll have to remove your clothes from the waist up as you lie on the evaluation table. And that will help the technician place the leads on your chest easily.
- Ensure to be as comfortable as possible since the procedure is non-surgical.
Your practitioner will place 12 electrodes supported with adhesive pads. And this will go on your chest, legs, and arms, running the wires from electrodes to the EKG tool.
When everything is in order, and you’re calm, your practitioner will start the EKG machine to do its work. It might take 10-15 seconds before the tracing shows on the computer screen or the graph paper. Then the tech will disconnect the leads and remove the electrodes after this. And that’s all; you can leave at your own will.
In the meantime, your doctor will review your EKG results to see if there’s a need for concern. So, he will get back to you with the findings, which may determine if you require some follow-up tests or treatment.
Types of EKG Tests
Though the common EKG testing is the standard one mentioned above, your physician may find other kinds necessary, such as:
Holter Monitor
This device checks your heart’s electrical activity for 1 to 2 days and 24-hours. So, your doc may find this test ideal when he suspects that you don’t have enough blood flowing to your heart. And also, if you have abnormal heart rhythm or rapid heartbeat.
This EKG process is also painless like the standard one. Since this is portable, your medical provider will tape the electrodes from the monitor to your skin. After putting them in place, you leave with them and proceed with your normal activities. But you have to skip the shower.
So, you’ll have to record everything you do, including symptoms that you might notice.
Event Monitor
If you experience irregular symptoms, this is an EKG device that your doctor might suggest for you. You can wear it for several weeks or months, and you will push a button to record your heart’s electrical activity.
So, whenever you notice some symptoms, you press the button and get a reading on the monitor. The same information gets to your doctor through her on the phone, analyzing it.
Any Possible Risks to the EKG Test?
Though you may feel uncomfortable during the EKG testing, this procedure has minimal risk. After removing electrodes, your skin may feel slight irritation, but there is no electric shock. EKG records electricity, but it doesn’t remit electricity to your body.
Do You Know How Your Heart Operates?
Your heart is responsible for pumping blood and distributing oxygen throughout your body. It is the central part of your body’s circulatory system, located under the sternum. A heart is a muscular organ containing four chambers and several valves that regulate blood flow.
The left atrium acquires oxygen-rich blood from the lungs, while the right atrium obtains oxygen-poor blood from the tissues.
The atrioventricular valves separate the chambers. They consist of a tricuspid located on the left and the right, the mitral valve.
Then we have the lower chambers known as ventricles. These are responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout the arteries into the body’s organs.
An average person usually has (3) cardiac cycles per minute. That equals 72 beats of about 6 liters of blood flowing through the body. So, the cardiac cycle involves the heart’s blood pumping out and receiving it back. Oxygen-free blood enters your heart via the right atrium and travels into the right ventricle, entering the lungs to pick up more oxygen. Then it releases carbon dioxide and moves into the left chambers for redistribution.
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Heart?
- Manage stress. Stress can affect the health of your heart. Although the pressures of daily life may seem inescapable, try to avoid them as these can be severe enough to affect your health.
- Eat healthily
- Maintain a healthy weight by regular workout.
- Control your cholesterol
- Control your blood pressure.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
In Conclusion
Are you concerned about your heart condition and would like to get a baseline? Check an EKG testing near me and get tested. That should put ease to your worries and take the necessary action. An EKG helps show if your heartbeat is normal and the size and position of your heart’s chambers. When the EKG results are abnormal, this can be a sign of damage or heart disease.
