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Electrocardiogram

What is a Electrocardiogram? | How to Prepare | What to Expect

What is a Electrocardiogram?

How to Prepare

What to Expect

KVH Hospital provides both standard cardiac stress testing and cardiac stress echocardiogram testing. 

KVH Hospital provides both inpatient and outpatient electrocardiogram (EKG) services. The EKG is used by your physician to analyze the electrical activity of the heart, identify heart damage, identify irregular rhythms, and to identify potential problems before they occur. This service is available to everyone even if your physician is outside the area.

This service requires a physician’s order that must include the specific indication for the EKG. You must have an appointment to get an EKG.

What is a Electrocardiogram?

An ECG (also called an “electrocardiogram”) is a test that records a person’s heart rate (how fast it beats) and rhythm. It does this by measuring the electrical activity in the heart. A normal heartbeat happens when an electrical signal starts in a spot near the top of the heart. This signal follows a path to spread across the heart. As it spreads, the signal causes the heart muscle to squeeze. Each time the heart squeezes (“beats”), it pumps blood through the whole body.

Your doctor might order an ECG to:

  • See if you are having or had a heart attack
  • Look for other heart conditions or follow a known heart condition
  • Help figure out why you have chest pain, trouble breathing, dizziness, a fast heart rate, or other symptoms
  • Check how healthy your heart is before you have surgery
  • Check how well your heart medicines or other heart treatments are working

How to Prepare

There are no special preparations necessary for a standard electrocardiogram unless otherwise directed. If you are on any heart medicines, you might also need to change or stop some of them before the test. Your doctor or nurse should tell you if you need to change or stop any of your medicines.

This drawing shows a person having an ECG (also called an electrocardiogram or EKG). There are patches, called “electrodes,” stuck onto the chest, arms, and legs. Wires run from the electrodes to the ECG machine. An ECG measures the electrical activity in the heart.

What to Expect

  • You should allow 15-30 minutes for this procedure.
  • Do not apply creams, lotions, or powders to your chest, arms, or legs on the day of the test.
  • Generalized indications such as pre-op EKG or annual physical may be declined from insurance providers. In the event of a generalized indication, you will be asked to sign an ABN statement indicating you are aware or have been informed that insurance payment may be declined for the service and that you agree to pay for the service in full should this occur.
  • You will be asked to remove your clothing and wear a hospital gown.
  • Several electrodes will be placed on the upper body, arms and legs to monitor your heart’s electrical activity during testing. This recording shows how fast your heart is beating and the heart’s rhythm. The machine also records the strength and timing of electrical signals as they pass through each part of your heart.

Resources

  • American Heart Association: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
  • MayoClinic.org – Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
  • National Library of Medicine – Electrocardiogram

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Cardiopulmonary Services

  • Cardiac Stress Testing
  • Cardiac Holter & Event Monitors
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)

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