An electrocardiogram, called an EKG, is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. With each beat, an electrical impulse or wave travels through the heart. This wave causes the heart muscle to squeeze and pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.
When Do You Need an EKG?
An EKG is a safe, painless test. Your doctor might order an EKG to see if you have heart-related problems. It can help:
Evaluate your heart's electrical activity
Investigate the cause of unexplained chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or rapid and irregular heartbeats
Determine how well medicines are working and if they’re causing side effects
See how well pacemakers and other mechanical devices are working
Evaluate the health of the heart when other diseases or conditions are present, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, diabetes or a family history of early heart disease
If you’re diagnosed with a heart problem, you can trust the skill and compassionate care we provide at Mercy. Our heart care team has the technical expertise needed to treat cardiac conditions and diseases. We’ll do everything possible to keep your heart healthy, so you can keep doing all the things you love.
Related to this Test
At Mercy, we offer comprehensive services to diagnose and treat a full range of conditions, including:
At Mercy, we offer compassionate care for a variety of treatment services, including:
