EKG Specialist
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Westmed Family Healthcare
Family Physicians located in Westminster, CO
Taking an EKG is a great way to detect a wide range of heart problems. In Westminster, Colorado, the specialists at Westmed Family Healthcare offer state-of-the-art electrocardiograms and other diagnostic testing methods so you can gain a clear picture of your heart health and assess your risks. Take care of your heart with the help of highly trained and compassionate medical providers. Call or click to schedule an appointment today.
EKG Q & A
What is an EKG?
An electrocardiogram, or EKG, is a painless test that records the electrical signals in your heart. An EKG can help your doctor assess your heart’s health and detect abnormalities.
Your Westmed Family Healthcare provider might discuss the results with you the same day of your test or during your follow-up appointment.
How does an EKG work?
Each of your heartbeats is triggered by an electrical impulse that’s normally generated from pacemaker cells in a chamber within your heart. An EKG effectively records the strength and timing of these signals traveling through your heart.
EKG tests gather information from 12 different areas of your heart. The electrical activity is recorded as waves on a graph. Different patterns correspond to each electrical phase of your heartbeat.
An EKG typically only takes a few minutes. You might be asked to change into a hospital gown. You will lay on an examining table or bed, and your provider will place electrodes on your chest and sometimes your limbs.
The electrode patches each have a wire attached to a machine that records the electrical activity of your heart. If you have hair on certain body parts where the electrodes must be placed, your Westmed Family Healthcare provider may need to remove the hair.
After your test, you can resume your daily activities.
Why would I need an EKG?
Your Westmed Family Healthcare provider might recommend an EKG to help diagnose a number of common heart problems, such as:
- A previous heart attack
- Irregularities in your heart rhythm
- Structural problems with the chambers of your heart
- How well some ongoing heart disease treatments are working, such as a pacemaker
- If narrowed or blocked arteries in your heart are causing chest pain or presenting a high risk of heart attack
If you experience certain symptoms such as chest pain, a rapid pulse, heart palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath, your doctor might recommend an EKG to rule out any underlying medical complications concerning your heart.
An EKG is an effective way for your Westmed Family Healthcare provider to assess important aspects of your heart health, such as your heart rate and rhythm and whether or not you have an adequate supply of blood and oxygen going to your heart.
If you have concerns about your heart health, call or click to book an appointment with Westmed Family Healthcare today.
