A heart attack can strike anyone. And they are scary. But you should never let fear delay a visit to the doctor if you have shortness of breath or other symptoms of a heart issue. At each of our ten offices, the skilled healthcare providers at NY Family Docs perform electrocardiogram (EKG) testing and check for heart-related symptoms or illnesses. Stop a heart attack or other heart issues before they become serious. Call the office nearest you to schedule a visit. You can also request an appointment online now.
EKG Q & A
What is an EKG?
An electrocardiogram, or EKG, is a test that takes about 10 minutes to record the electrical signals in your heart. This noninvasive test (no needles or cutting required) can identify existing heart problems and also help monitor heart activity during routine physicals to see if you have other medical issues that affect your heart’s health.
You don’t have to go to a hospital for an EKG. The staff at NY Family Docs offer EKG testing at each office for patient convenience.
Why do I need an EKG?
You might have heart problems if you experience these symptoms:
Chest pain
Rapid pulse
You are always tired
Irregular heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Lightheadedness or dizziness that doesn’t go away quickly
When you visit NY Family Docs for any of these problems, a healthcare provider will do a complete physical exam and might recommend EKG testing to figure out what’s wrong. It may just be that you are tired all the time because your kids keep you up all night. Wouldn’t it be a relief to know that you don’t have a heart problem! But it is better to get it checked out if you are worried about your symptoms. We can help you find out if you have serious heart issue or don’t need to be worried.
What can I expect during EKG testing?
An EKG is painless and only involves placing electrode sensors, which are similar to band-aids, on different areas of your chest, arms and legs to record your heart’s activity.
You can expect to lie down comfortably during your test as the sensors, which are connected to wires, collect important data about your heart health. Your results appear on graph paper, with patterns showing each electrical signal that your heart produces.
Your NY Family Docs provider will monitor the EKG and once the test is done, he or she can review the results with you during your visit.
Are there any risks with an EKG?
An EKG is a safe procedure that poses no risk to your health. You might experience slight discomfort when the staff removes the electrodes that stick to your skin (or chest hair) with an adhesive.
Immediately after your EKG, you can return to your usual routine. In the event a potential heart problem is found, you may be referred to a heart specialist (a cardiologist) for additional testing.
If you have persistent shortness of breath or unexplained chest pain, don’t ignore it! Visit the NY Family Docs nearest you as soon as possible. You can also schedule an appointment for other heart-related symptoms by calling the office or booking an appointment through the online feature.