Generally, an ECG is covered by most health insurance plans, but there are always exceptions. If you are insured and concerned that your plan may not cover the test, or if you have a plan with minimal coverage, you might want to check your benefits in advance. As with many procedures, your plan may also require you to pay a copay, and you should be able to find out by calling the number on your insurance card.
When you go for your ECG, you should bring your test order form if applicable , your health insurance card, a form of identification, and a method of payment. Your test will be performed by a healthcare provider, a nurse, or a technician. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and lie down on an examination table.
Once in position, a total of 10 electrodes are attached with a sticky, but easy-to-remove adhesive. One electrode is placed on each arm and leg, and six on the chest. Each electrode is a flat, coin-shaped plate with wires attached to the ECG machine, which looks like a computer.
The electrodes detect electrical activity produced by the heart and transmit this information to the machine, where it is processed and saved electronically or printed out as an ECG tracing.
Readings will be taken for about five minutes. During this time, you will be asked to remain still, as movement can disrupt the pattern. There is no pain or discomfort associated with this test. After the test, the electrodes are removed. If there is any sticky material remaining, it can be easily wiped off with an alcohol pad.
You may experience some pulling of hair underneath the nodes, but generally, the technicians are very careful with taking them off.
You should not expect any side effects after an ECG, and there are no limitations on your activity. Rarely, the adhesive can cause allergic reactions or rashes, which may not be obvious until about 24 hours after the test. If you experience a rash in the area of the electrodes, call your healthcare provider. By examining any abnormalities on the ECG and which leads they are stemming from, your healthcare provider can get important clues about the status of the heart.
Learning to read an ECG and recognize these patterns takes months of training and practice. A tracing consists of repeated waves that have a standard shape. Different conditions are associated with changes in the height, width, and length of these waves, and the intervals between them.
A shortened QT interval, for example, can be a sign of elevated blood calcium levels. Your ECG report may have a description of the wave pattern but is unlikely to describe your heart condition in detail. Your healthcare provider needs to take your symptoms and medical history into account when determining whether or not you could have a heart condition. Your healthcare provider will be able to explain your results to you.
Among many things, an ECG can indicate:. While the ECG can make a clear diagnosis of some cardiac conditions , such as a cardiac arrhythmia, it is more often used as a screening test. Therefore, abnormalities seen on the ECG often need to be followed by a more definitive test in order to make a firm diagnosis.
For instance, If the ECG indicates possible coronary artery disease, a stress test or cardiac catheterization might be needed. If ventricular hypertrophy is seen, an echocardiogram is often needed to check for diseases such as aortic stenosis or other structural abnormalities. There are few, if any, risks related to an EKG. Some people may experience a skin rash where electrodes were placed, but this usually goes away without treatment. People undergoing a stress test may be at risk for heart attack, but this is related to the exercise, not the EKG.
An EKG simply monitors the electrical activity of your heart. Avoid drinking cold water or exercising before your EKG.
Drinking cold water can cause changes in the electrical patterns that the test records. Exercise can increase your heart rate and affect the test results.
If your EKG shows normal results, your doctor will likely go over them with you at a follow-up visit. An electrocardiogram EKG measures your heart's electrical activity.
Find out what an abnormal EKG means and understand your treatment options. A stress echocardiogram tests how well your heart and blood vessels are working, especially under stress.
Images of the heart are taken during a…. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which your heart muscle is thicker than normal. Get information on risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and more. It does not send electric current to the body. Some people may be allergic or sensitive to the electrodes, which can cause local skin reddening. After an ECG you can resume normal activities immediately.
A person with heart disease may have a normal ECG result if the condition does not cause a disturbance in the electrical activity of the heart. Other diagnostic methods may be recommended if heart disease is suspected. Talk to your doctor about the right treatment for your heart condition and how to self-manage in the community.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Allergy testing is used to find which substances provoke an allergic reaction. Aortic stenosis may be congenital present from before birth , but is often diagnosed during teenage years. Barium tests are used to examine conditions of the digestive tract such as reflux, narrowing or ulceration. Barmah Forest virus BFV disease can cause joint inflammation and pain, fatigue and a rash of variable appearance.
A full recovery can be expected. Most people recover completely within six months, although some people have intermittent symptoms for longer. Before a biopsy, you need to discuss a range of issues with your doctor or surgeon. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.
You will lie flat on a table or bed for the test. It will be important for you to lie still and not talk during the ECG, so that you don't alter the tracing. If your chest, arms, or legs are very hairy, the technician may shave or clip small patches of hair, as needed, so that the electrodes will stick closely to the skin. Electrodes will be attached to your chest, arms, and legs. The lead wires will be attached to the electrodes.
Once the leads are attached, the technician may enter identifying information about you into the machine's computer. The ECG will be started. It will take only a short time for the tracing to be completed. Once the tracing is completed, the technician will disconnect the leads and remove the skin electrodes. What happens after an electrocardiogram? Generally, there is no special care after an electrocardiogram ECG. Stay on Top of Your Heart Health If you have a new or existing heart problem, it's vital to see a doctor.
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