EKG Testing in Orlando, FL
A relatively simple diagnostic test, an electrocardiogram (EKG) provides information on the heart’s rhythms by recording the electrical activity of the heart at rest. With every heartbeat, an electrical impulse (wave) travels through the heart’s chambers. Each wave causes the heart muscle to contract and pump blood throughout the body.
In addition to helping a physician determine whether the heart muscle is damaged, EKG testing can reveal heart enlargement due to high blood pressure, as well as evidence of prior heart attacks, which may otherwise go undetected.
When Is EKG Testing Necessary?
An EKG test can play an important role in the prevention and early diagnosis of serious heart problems in individuals who have certain risk factors, such as:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol
- A history of smoking
- A personal or family history of heart disease or arrhythmias
- Diabetes
With that said, EKG testing is generally not useful for people who do not have risk factors or symptoms of heart disease. Therefore, an electrocardiogram is usually not included as part of a routine physical examination.
What Does EKG Testing Involve?
EKG testing can be easily performed in a physician’s office. While the patient rests comfortably on a bed, a medical professional places approximately 10 sticky pads (electrodes) on his or her chest and limbs. Each electrode is connected to a wire that transmits readings to a monitor. During the test, the patient is asked to lie still, because movement may interfere with the test result. Within minutes, the EKG will record the electrical activity of the patient’s heart.
By evaluating the time intervals recorded in an EKG, a physician can determine how long an electrical wave takes to pass through the heart. The resulting reading can help a physician determine with the patient’s heart is beating at a normal rhythm.
EKG Testing Is Included in Your DPC Membership
As a member of Optimum Direct Care, a direct primary care practice in Orlando, FL, you can receive any necessary EKG testing*—along with a full range of other primary healthcare services and diagnostic tests—as part of your membership. Our goal is to help you achieve and maintain your optimum health. If you’d like to learn more, contact us today.
*In the event of a life-threatening emergency, such as a suspected heart attack, we urge you to call 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital ER. Remember: Every second matters, and fast action can save a life.
