Electrocardiograms (EKGs)

Heart Rhythm Monitoring in Arlington

An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a device that records electrical signals in the heart and allows doctors to monitor your heart's electrical activity. This is one of the primary tools used to diagnose arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), heart attacks, and many other heart disorders. It is important to diagnose heart disorders as soon as possible because without proper management they can lead to serious health complications.

Your doctor may recommend an EKG test if you are experiencing the following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic fatigue
• Difficulty exercising
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

If you have experienced these symptoms or have a family history of heart disease, an EKG may be an appropriate test for you.

How Does an EKG Work?

An EKG is a painless, noninvasive procedure. Electrodes will be placed to your chest, arms, and legs. These will be attached to the EKG device that will measure your heart’s electrical impulses. Once the electrodes are in place, you will lie down while the computer reads your heart’s activity. There are also exercise EKGs where the machine measures impulses while you are running on a treadmill.

The test is very short, usually lasting 10 minutes total. The results will be placed in your medical records where your doctor can analyze them and tell you what they mean. With an EKG, your doctor can determine if your symptoms are caused by an abnormal heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, damage caused by a previous heart attack, or structural abnormalities within the heart.