An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a quick, painless test to check heart health. It records the electrical signals in the heart using electrodes, which are plastic patches that stick to your skin on the chest and limbs.
We connect these patches to an ECG machine, which measures and interprets the activity of your heart. An electrocardiogram test does not send electricity into your body.
With an ECG test, we can quickly check:
- Your heart rhythm
- Irregular heartbeats
- Poor blood flow to your heart muscle
- Chance of a heart attack
- Heart problems, such as thickened heart muscle
- Potassium and calcium levels
- Overall health of the heart
If your symptoms tend to come and go, a regular ECG may not detect a change in the heartbeat. Depending on your symptoms and conditions, we may suggest using electrocardiogram devices to monitor your heart for a longer duration outside the office.
We may recommend using the following electrocardiogram devices.
Holter Monitor
Holter monitor is a small portable device that records the electrical activity of your heart for over 24 hours. We may advise a Holter monitor ECG if we find you have symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, and low blood pressure.
You can wear it at home and during daily activities after ECG electrode patches are placed on your chest, which are connected by wires to a small portable recording device.
Event Monitor
An event monitor is a portable ECG device that records your heart’s electrical activity when you experience fluctuating symptoms. It's typically worn for about 30 days.
In some event monitors, you need to push a button when you feel symptoms to record and store your heart's electrical activity. However, event monitors can also automatically record data when an irregular heartbeat is detected without the need to press a button.
Some event monitors can transmit recorded information directly to us, allowing us to analyze the electrical activity of your heart.
Implantable Loop Recorder
An implantable loop monitor is a type of event monitor that is implanted using a minimally invasive procedure. It is implanted just under the skin of your chest and records your heart's electrical activity continuously for up to 3 years. We may recommend an implantable loop recorder if you have the following symptoms:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Unexplained stroke
- Repeated fainting
Since an implantable loop monitor is used for a longer duration than other ECG devices, it can record changes in your heartbeat that other devices may miss. It does not hinder your normal day-to-day activities.