An electrocardiogram, or EKG, is a graphic representation of the electrical activity of the heart. It is one of the oldest and most useful studies in the practice of cardiology / cardiovascular medicine.
An EKG may be ordered for a variety of reasons and can yield a large amount of information.
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Among the reasons to order an EKG are:
- Chest discomfort or ‘angina’
- Shortness of breath
- ‘Syncope’ (fainting or loss of consciousness)
- Palpitations or arrhythmias
- Concern for congenital or other structural heart disease
- Electrolyte abnormalities, and
- Preoperatively, to assess for abnormalities prior to surgery
Longer term monitoring with continuous EKG, either in the hospital or as an outpatient is commonly done.
My patients often ask, “What is involved in getting an EKG?” This completely non-invasive test is generally done in a hospital or medical office. It is brief, painless, and easy.
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