EKG Specialist

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Cardiologists & Vein Care located in Santa Monica, CA

Alfieri Cardiology has three comprehensive cardiac care facilities that offer state-of-the-art diagnostic tools that include the use of EKG and echocardiograms. Dr. Paul Alfieri and Dr. Anthony Alfieri serve the residents of both Newark and Wilmington, Delaware, as well as several nearby communities.

123-456-7890

EKG Q & A

What Is an EKG?

An EKG, or electrocardiogram, is a diagnostic tool used to check on the effectiveness of the heart. Through a unique testing system, an EKG tracks the electrical impulses emitted by the heart and charts them as a series of lines on a piece of special graph paper. The heart has its own electrical system that causes its four chambers to work as a pump to send blood flowing throughout the body. EKGs check the heart's level of activity and notes any abnormalities that may be present. This can include an irregular heartbeat, areas of the heart that are not working as they should, or if there is a defect in one of the chambers.

How Are EKGs Used to Diagnose Health Problems?

The doctor will hook up several diodes to the surface of a person's chest or back. Once the EKG machine is turned on, the small receptors will begin to track the heart's electrical impulses and record them as a series of up and down lines on a piece of graph paper that was specially designed for that purpose. The doctor can look at the lines and determine how efficiently a person's heart is functioning. He can tell if there is an abnormal heartbeat, the walls of the heart are too thick or too thin, and he can also tell how well a pacemaker or other implanted device is functioning. An EKG can offer vital information about the health of a patient's heart without having an invasive procedure.

How Long Does an EKG Take?

For most individuals, an EKG will last for less than thirty minutes. An EKG that is performed along with a stress test or other type of diagnostic test will take a little longer. Once the patient arrives for their appointment, they will be taken to the testing room and prepared. After the machine has been hooked up and the diodes are in place, the hard work is over, and all the patient has to do is lie on their back quietly while the test is being performed. When a stress test is included, the patient may be asked to walk or run at varying speeds on a treadmill to determine how the heart works while under different levels of physical stress.