Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a quick and painless heart evaluation test done at the office. Yasir Akram, MD, MPH, FACC, FSCAI, and the team at Apex Heart & Vascular Center in Houston, Tomball, and Cypress, Texas, may perform an electrocardiogram during your visit to get a baseline reading of heart function. The test measures the rhythm of your heartbeat and can quickly identify heart problems like an irregular heartbeat. For comprehensive cardiology care from a patient-centered team, call the office nearest you today or use the online booking button to schedule an appointment.

What is an electrocardiogram?

An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a heart test that measures the electrical activity of your heart. Your heart is a strong muscle that rhythmically contracts and relaxes to pump blood throughout your body.

Electrical signals in the heart control the contractions and the heartbeat. An EKG measures, tracks, and records the electrical signal. It also shows the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat, providing clues to how blood moves through each chamber of your heart. 

What does an electrocardiogram feel like?

An electrocardiogram is painless. The test measures your heart’s electrical activity, it doesn’t deliver electricity into your body.

For the test, you lie back on the exam table and the specialist at Apex Heart & Vascular Center attaches electrodes to your chest, arms, and legs. Wires from the electrodes are then attached to the EKG machine. 

Once ready, your specialist turns on the EKG machine to measure your heart’s activity. You should remain as still as possible during the test for an accurate reading. 

An EKG only takes a few minutes and you can resume your usual activities unless the team at Apex Heart & Vascular Center says otherwise.

What does an electrocardiogram show?

The EKG shows the rhythm and rate of your heartbeat. The team uses the information from the EKG to evaluate how fast or slow your heart beats and whether any irregularities indicate a potential problem.

Results from the EKG may help identify an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), signs of a heart attack, or the cause of your chest pain. The Apex Heart & Vascular Center team may also perform an EKG to evaluate your heart before surgery or check pacemaker function.

Apex Heart & Vascular Center also uses an EKG during an exercise stress test, evaluating heart function before and after exercise to uncover heart problems. 

If your specialist suspects you have an arrhythmia, you may need to wear a portable EKG that tracks, measures, and records your heart rate over a few days or weeks. 

Will I need more tests after an electrocardiogram?

Depending on the findings from the EKG and your medical history, the team at Apex Heart & Vascular Center may request additional testing to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis, such as an echocardiogram or nuclear stress test. 

Apex Heart & Vascular Center is a full-service cardiology practice that takes a preventive approach to care. Call today or book an appointment online.