What You Need to Know Before You Get an EKG Test
Posted: May 24th, 2018 at 08:49PM
When going in for your first EKG test, it's only natural to be nervous. However, there is nothing to fear. The process is painless and non-invasive. While EKG tests are usually not required for a routine physical examination, it's a fairly quick and painless experience that can give you better insight into how your heart works and how you can make it healthier in the future
However, if you're still stressing about your upcoming EKG, the right staff can make the experience one in which you feel relaxed and prepared. Additionally, one of the easiest ways to reduce EKG anxiety is to know exactly what an EKG does and what to expect when you go in for one.
While heart treatments have come a long way, the EKG is still a very effective way to determine your heart health, and it was actually developed back in the late 19th century. In fact, Dr. Willem Einthoven, the Dutch physiologist who created the EKG, won the Nobel prize for inventing it.
EKG tests show the electrical activity of your heart through electrodes that doctors put on your chest, arms, and legs. Some EKG tests are done while you are walking or running. Others are done while you're lying down, a procedure known as a "resting EKG."
EKGs have a graph that monitors the electrical impulses of your heart. An EKG can show you your heart rate during exercise, similar to a treadmill or stationary bike, and how well your heart holds up under stress. It can also determine whether you have poor blood flow to the heart muscle, a condition known as ischemia. EKGs can spot other abnormalities in your heart as well, like if you've developed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle, which makes the heart work harder to pump blood.
The entire process of getting an EKG test takes about 10 minutes, from getting the electrodes attached to the actual recording of your heartbeat.
Before you get an EKG test, it's recommended that you don't put creams or lotions on your body, because it can affect how the electrodes contact your skin. For men getting an EKG test, one may need to shave their chest hair before the visit so that the machine can get a more accurate reading. For women getting an EKG test, it's recommended not to wear pantyhose, as some electrodes need to be put on your legs.
People going in for a routine examination usually don't get EKG tests, but it's highly recommended you get one if you have the risk factors for a heart attack, like high blood pressure, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations. It's also recommended you get an EKG test if you have a family history of heart disease or diabetes.
While an EKG can't show if you have blocked arteries or determine if you're at risk for a heart attack in the future, it can still go a long way in determining your hearts health and what kind of lifestyle changes you can make that can prolong your life.
e7 Health provides EKGs with a physical exam:
- Usually same-day or next-day appointments available
- Licensed and Board-certified clinicians
- Minimal wait time
- Fast results and complete documentation
- Provides other typical health screenings at the same appointment
Contact us today for more information or to set up an appointment.
