EKG

What is an EKG?

An EKG is a test that looks for problems with the electrical activity in the heart. This test depicts electrical activity as line tracings that Dr. Reyes can evaluate. Abnormalities in those tracings may indicate specific problems with the heart.

When are EKGs necessary?

Dr. Reyes may recommend an EKG for several reasons, including:

• Finding the cause of unexplained chest pain or other symptoms.
• Ruling out or confirming a heart attack.
• Evaluating the safety and/or effectiveness of medications that affect the heart.
• Evaluating the function of mechanical devices implanted in the heart.
• Evaluating the heart’s general function.

What should I expect during an EKG?

During an EKG, you’ll be asked to expose your chest. Dr. Reyes or another member of the staff will attach several electrodes to your chest to measure your heart’s activity. These electrodes are connected to a machine that produces line tracings based on the measured electrical activity.

You should lie still during the test and may need to hold your breath temporarily. Most EKGs are complete within 10 minutes or less.

What do the results mean?

The results of the EKG may be normal or abnormal. A normal EKG means that the line tracings followed an expected pattern; test results are abnormal if the line tracings didn’t follow a normal pattern. An abnormal test may indicate that the heart was beating too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly.

If the EKG is abnormal, Dr. Reyes will usually order further testing to investigate the issue. If the EKG is normal, further testing may or may not be needed.

What are the risks of an EKG?

EKGs are noninvasive and unlikely to cause any side effects or complications. However, in some cases, an EKG may be normal even when a problem is present. For this reason, Dr. Reyes will usually order more tests for a patient who has a normal EKG in spite of worrisome symptoms.