What Is An EKG?
Sometimes, your heart may need extra attention to ensure it's healthy. At UMG Urgent Care, we use EKGs to check your heart in a quick and easy way. Our goal is to make your health checks stress-free. A simple EKG test can tell us a lot about your heart's health. An EKG, also known as an electrocardiogram, is a medical test that helps us learn more about your heart. The letters "EKG" stand for the German word "elektrokardiogramm," but in English, we use it interchangeably with ECG. Essentially, an EKG records the electrical signals from your heart. Every time your heart beats, it produces small electrical impulses that the EKG machine can capture and record. These signals are shown on paper or a screen so your doctor can see how your heart works. If you're experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of heart problems, call our Columbia, MD team to evaluate your heart's condition.
How Does An EKG Work?
The EKG monitor tracks EKG rhythms to identify if everything is beating as it should. A normal EKG will show that your heart is functioning properly while an abnormal EKG can reveal signs of issues, like past or ongoing heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythms (such as atrial fibrillation), blocked arteries, an enlarged heart, or other concerns. The EKG test results provide an essential look into the health of your heart. The whole process of an EKG test is quick and comfortable. During an EKG, you'll lie down comfortably while small, sticky patches called electrodes are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes are connected to the EKG machine, which records your heart's motions, measuring the electrical activity, heart rate and rhythm, any blockages, and heart damage. The heart monitoring also ensures that the sinus rhythm (the normal rhythm of your heart) is maintained and that the heart is able to effectively pump blood. The EKG test only takes about ten minutes from start to finish, and most of that time is just setting up the electrodes. The actual recording of your heart activity lasts less than a minute.
What Are the Benefits of An EKG?
If you're having certain symptoms, like chest pain or a feeling that your heart is racing or skipping beats, an EKG can help our team at UMG Urgent Care understand what's happening. It's a great tool to look for the causes of your symptoms and guide us in giving you the right care at our Columbia, MD facility. An EKG can provide the following:
- Early detection
- Quick diagnosis
- Continued heart health monitoring
- Assessment of risks before surgery
- Evaluation of medication and its effects
- Noninvasive and simple test
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I can't say enough about how wonderful Stephanie is. She has made both me and my children feel completely at ease during our past appointments. She took the time to listen to all of our concerns and made sure to address every need. Her compassionate and attentive approach truly sets her apart. Her bedside manner is exceptional?she's not just knowledgeable but genuinely cares about her patients. I am so grateful for the care she provided in the past and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a doctor who truly listens and gives their full attention.
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Take Care of Your Heart Health
One of the best parts about having an EKG is that it's completely safe. There are no side effects or risks since it's a noninvasive test. The electrodes on your skin read the electrical activity, and there are no electric shocks or discomfort. Take care of your heart health at UMG Urgent Care. Our team is here to help you understand what's going on with your heart and make sure you're in good hands. Visit us at our Columbia, MD location to learn more about how we can keep your heart healthy and strong.