An electrocardiogram (EKG) measures electrical activity within your heart. If you come to Marsalis Avenue Family and Urgent Care Clinic because of symptoms like chest pain, heart palpitations, or breathing issues, Dralves Edwards, DO, may recommend this test as part of the diagnostic process. Call the Dallas, Texas, office or book an appointment using online scheduling now.
An electrocardiogram (EKG) is an in-office test to track the electrical activity inside your heart. EKG testing is frequently part of the diagnostic process if you come to Marsalis Avenue Family and Urgent Care Clinic with issues that could indicate a heart problem.
The team might recommend an EKG if you have symptoms such as:
In addition, you could need an EKG as part of an annual physical if you have a history of heart issues or a family history of heart disease.
Many people also have an EKG prior to surgery, as part of a heart health checkup. If you’re taking new heart disease medication, you may have an EKG to assess how well the drug works.
An EKG can detect problems including:
If your EKG reveals that you may have any of these issues, you may need ultrasounds or other testing to get a clearer picture of your heart health.
For a standard EKG, the Marsalis Avenue Family and Urgent Care Clinic team places sticky electrodes on your chest, wrists, and ankles. The electrodes have long wires that connect to a nearby monitor, which records the electrical activity in your heart.
You’ll lie down and remain still for the short test (about three minutes). The results appear on a monitor or the computer printout.
A stress EKG test measures the same thing, but it does so as you exercise. In a stress EKG, you’ll walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike. You might need this particular type of EKG to check how your heart responds to exercise. For example, some people need a stress EKG before starting a new exercise program if they’re at risk for heart issues.
In some cases, the results of the standard EKG or stress EKG don’t reveal enough information about your heart’s electrical activity. If this happens, the team may recommend a Holter monitor, a monitoring device that tracks heart electrical activity for at least 24 hours continuously.
Click on the scheduling link or call Marsalis Avenue Family and Urgent Care Clinic to schedule your EKG now.
