Why Would a Doctor Order an EKG?
An EKG is a test to check your heartbeat. It can show how fast or slow your heart is beating. EKG results can help your doctor find:
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
- A past heart attack.
- The cause of chest pain. It might show signs of blocked or narrowed heart arteries.
An EKG can also tell how well a pacemaker or heart disease treatments are working.
You might need an EKG if you have:
- Chest pain.
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or confusion.
- A pounding, skipping, or fluttering heartbeat.
- A fast pulse.
- Shortness of breath.
- Weakness or feeling tired.
- Trouble exercising.
If heart disease runs in your family, you might need an EKG even if you do not have symptoms. The American Heart Association says EKG screening might be good for people at low risk of heart disease, even without symptoms. Most heart doctors think an EKG is a basic tool to check for heart disease, but it should be used carefully for each person.
If your symptoms come and go, a regular EKG might not show a change in your heartbeat. Your doctor might suggest wearing an EKG monitor at home.
There are different kinds of portable EKGs:
1. Holter Monitor
This small device records your heart’s activity for a day or more. You wear it at home and during your daily activities.
2. Event Monitor
This device is like a Holter monitor, but it only records at certain times for a few minutes at a time. It’s usually worn for about 30 days. You press a button when you feel symptoms. Some devices automatically record when an irregular heart rhythm happens.
Some personal devices, like smartwatches, have EKG apps. Ask your doctor if this is an option for you.
What is a Normal EKG?
There are 3 types of waves in an electrocardiogram (EKG):
- P waves.
- QRS complexes.
- T waves.
P waves show when the atria are contracting, ORS complexes show when the ventricles are contracting, and T waves show when the ventricles are relaxing.
After the P wave, there is a short pause called the PR interval. This interval shows the time it takes for the electrical signal to travel from the atria to the ventricles.
The waves should appear in a regular pattern. Any irregularity in the pattern may be a sign of a health problem. For example, if there are no P waves, it may be a sign of atrial fibrillation.
A normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). A heart rate above 100 bpm is called tachycardia, and a heart rate below 60 bpm is called bradycardia.
How to Identify Heart Attack Through EKG?
A normal EKG looks like a smooth, wavy line with evenly spaced peaks. Each peak represents one heartbeat. If the peaks are too close together, it means your heart is beating too fast (tachycardia).
If the peaks are unevenly spaced or there are clusters of peaks, it could be a sign of a heart problem, including a possible heart attack.
All in All!
An EKG is a simple, painless test that helps doctors check your heart’s rhythm and provides quick information about your heart health.
At Bharmal MD, our medical experts can perform EKGs and explain what a normal one looks like. Call at (817) 784-0052 to schedule your appointment today.