What an EKG can Reveal About Your Heart Health

An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a basic, painless diagnostic procedure that records your heart’s electrical activity—the primary indicator of healthy heart function. Also known as an ECG or EKG, this standard cardiology assessment offers valuable insight into how efficiently your heart is performing its job.

At Wynantskill Family Medicine in Wynantskill, New York, our family medicine physicians, Dr. Ritchie Parrotta and Dr. Scott Parrotta, regularly perform in-office EKG tests. Here is what this rapid, insightful electrical recording can reveal about your overall cardiovascular well-being.

How an EKG monitors heart function

An EKG measures the effectiveness of your heart’s electrical system as it beats. This electrical signal is what initiates your heartbeat, controlling both the rate and rhythm.

Each beat is triggered by an electrical impulse, or wave, that makes your heart muscle contract. These contractions ensure that blood is continuously pumped throughout your body.

A healthy heart typically maintains a smooth, steady beat powered by normal electrical flow. Conversely, a diseased or struggling heart often exhibits an uneven or erratic beat caused by electrical patterns that are too fast, too slow, or simply inconsistent.

The EKG records the strength and timing of this electrical wave as it travels between the heart’s upper and lower chambers. It also tracks the “recovery period” between waves, when your heart briefly rests before the next beat.

A fast and effortless diagnostic procedure

As one of the quickest and easiest cardiac evaluations available, an EKG takes approximately 10 minutes from start to finish. Most of this time is spent preparing; the actual electrical recording is completed in just seconds.

To perform an EKG, we secure 12 flat, adhesive patches containing electrodes at specific points on your chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes connect to a monitor that registers and prints out your heart’s electrical signals.

Two types of EKG testing

• Standard (Resting) EKG: During this standard test, you simply lie comfortably on an exam table. The electrodes transmit data to the recording device, capturing your heart’s typical electrical activity while your body is at rest.
• Stress EKG: For a stress test, you exercise on a treadmill or a stationary bike to increase your heart rate. This allows us to record your heart's electrical efficiency when it is working hard and during the recovery phase—the test concludes when your heart rate returns to normal.

When this evaluation is necessary

The EKG is a highly reliable diagnostic tool. In fact, it is often the very first test we recommend for patients experiencing potential signs and symptoms of heart disease, which may include:

• Recurring chest pain
• Difficulty catching your breath
• Unexplained exhaustion or weakness
• A sensation of a racing heartbeat
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Suddenly, unexpected palpitations

Suppose you already have a diagnosed heart condition. In that case, routine EKG testing helps us monitor your current treatment plan (such as medications or a pacemaker) to ensure it remains effective or if it needs adjustment.

Furthermore, an EKG can serve as a preventive screening for patients with a family history of heart disease. Some 697,000 Americans die from heart disease each year. Having periodic EKGs before concerning symptoms develop can help you proactively manage your cardiovascular health and potentially lower your risk for a serious event like a heart attack or stroke.

What your EKG results may indicate

An EKG shows whether electrical impulses move through your heart chambers at an expected pace—or if they are too fast, too slow, or disorganized. Abnormal readings can suggest that your heart is overworked or weakened, or that it has an underlying structural problem related to its size or shape.

Conditions we can often identify using an EKG include:

• Abnormal Heart Rhythms (Arrhythmias): Including conditions like Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).
• Damage: Evidence of injury from a previous heart attack.
• Heart Disease: Including Coronary Artery Disease and Congestive Heart Failure.

Sometimes, unusual EKG results warrant more detailed examination. Specifically, you may require a cardiac ultrasound, known as an Echocardiogram. This non-invasive test uses sound waves to create moving images of your heart, providing comprehensive data on its internal structure, function, pressure, and blood flow.

To learn more about EKG testing or to schedule a consultation, contact our office by phone or online today.