Electrocardiogram
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What is the
test?
The coordinated pumping of your heart is controlled
by natural electrical currents within the heart.
An EKG (sometimes referred to as ECG) measures
those currents. An EKG is especially useful for
diagnosing heart attacks and rhythm abnormalities,
but it can also provide many clues about other
conditions.You should have an EKG every one to
three years after age 40 if you have heart disease;
if you are at risk for developing it because
you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol,
or diabetes; or if you are about to start a vigorous
exercise program.
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How
do I prepare for the test?
If you have a hairy chest, a nurse might have
to shave several patches so that the stickers
or suction cups used in the test can hold to
your skin.
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What
happens when the test is performed?
You lie on your back with your shirt off. Stickers
or small suction cups (called electrodes or leads)
are stuck to your skin in a row across your chest
and in one place on each arm and leg. The leads
record electrical activity coming from your heart,
but from different angles.You must remain still
but won't feel anything as the machine records
the electrical activity that occurs naturally
with each heartbeat and prints out a tracing
of the signals on a piece of paper. Tell the
person taking the EKG if you have any chest pain
during the procedure because this information
is useful to the doctor who will interpret the
findings. The test takes three or four minutes.
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What
risks are there from the test?
There aren't any risks: The machine is measuring
natural electrical activity in your body; it
is not sending electricity into you.
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Must
I do anything special after the test is over?
No.
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How
long is it before the result of the test is
known?
The EKG must be reviewed by a trained professional.
Your doctor can interpret an EKG right away.However,
if a technician is taking the EKG and your doctor
is not present, it may be one to three days before
there is an official interpretation by a cardiologist.
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