What Is an EKG and What Does It Detect?

An EKG is a simple, non-invasive test performed right here at our practice to evaluate your heart’s rhythm and detect potential cardiac conditions. Our healthcare providers may recommend having an EKG if you experience persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or heart palpitations.

In addition, the team at Town Center Family Practice might suggest routine EKG screenings. We also commonly perform EKGs as part of routine physical examinations, especially for patients over 40, or for anyone preparing for surgery to ensure their heart health is optimal before undergoing anesthesia and surgical procedures.

For patients who have experienced previous heart attacks, heart rhythm disorders, or undergone cardiac treatments, our providers will often schedule periodic EKG monitoring. Regular evaluations help us closely track your cardiac health, detect changes early, and prevent possible complications.

We understand that each patient is unique, and the decision to perform an EKG always depends on your individual symptoms, medical history, risk factors, and the clinical judgment of our experienced providers. If you have concerns about your heart health or experience symptoms suggestive of cardiac problems, please contact our practice promptly. Our team is here to discuss your symptoms and determine whether an EKG or additional diagnostic tests may be beneficial in safeguarding your heart health.

At Town Center Family Practice, we are committed to providing comprehensive cardiac care by utilizing advanced diagnostic tools like the electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). Through an EKG, our physicians can identify common heart rhythm abnormalities, known as arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, or bradycardia. Early detection of these irregularities allows us to initiate timely treatment and help prevent potential complications.

In addition, an EKG can reveal signs of inadequate blood flow to your heart muscle, referred to as ischemia, which may indicate underlying coronary artery disease or even a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Detecting ischemia promptly enables our medical team to coordinate appropriate care and interventions to protect your heart health.

Moreover, EKG testing can uncover structural heart issues like chamber hypertrophy (enlarged heart chambers), often resulting from chronic hypertension or heart valve disorders. Identifying these structural changes early allows us to provide personalized treatment plans to improve cardiac function and overall wellness.

Electrocardiograms also detect conduction abnormalities such as heart blocks, where electrical signals within the heart are delayed or disrupted, potentially causing reduced cardiac efficiency, dizziness, or fainting episodes. Diagnosing and treating these conditions promptly ensures you maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.

Additionally, an EKG is valuable in diagnosing electrolyte imbalances, particularly abnormal potassium, calcium, or magnesium levels, which can significantly impact heart rhythm and electrical conduction. By identifying these imbalances, our clinicians can recommend appropriate treatments to restore balance and maintain optimal cardiac function.

Furthermore, certain congenital heart defects or genetic conditions affecting heart rhythm, such as long QT syndrome, can be identified through characteristic patterns on an EKG.

At Town Center Family Practice, the EKG is an integral part of our commitment to proactive, patient-centered cardiac care. This diagnostic tool helps us monitor your heart health effectively, allowing our healthcare professionals to identify issues early and deliver timely interventions, ultimately ensuring the well-being of you and your family.

An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test designed to record your heart’s electrical activity. An EKG helps our medical team evaluate your heart rate and rhythm, and it can detect certain abnormalities that may indicate underlying heart issues.

During routine check-ups, wellness visits, or pre-surgical assessments at Town Center Family Practice, we may perform an EKG to screen for silent heart condition issues that have not yet produced noticeable symptoms. For example, an EKG can occasionally detect subtle abnormalities such as silent ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart muscle), prompting our team to recommend further evaluation or preventive measures before symptoms develop. Additionally, this simple, non-invasive test can help us identify previously undiagnosed heart rhythm disorders or structural abnormalities in individuals without obvious symptoms.

However, it’s important to recognize that an EKG has limitations. Many heart conditions, especially in their earliest stages, might not yet cause noticeable changes on a resting EKG. Early-stage coronary artery disease, where the arteries supplying blood to the heart begin to narrow, often won’t produce detectable electrical changes until the condition progresses. In these scenarios, we may recommend additional diagnostic methods such as stress testing, echocardiography, advanced cardiovascular imaging, or specific blood tests to gain a clearer picture of your heart health.

While the EKG is a valuable initial screening tool, we believe it should not be used alone to rule out heart disease, particularly in asymptomatic patients. At Town Center Family Practice, we emphasize the importance of regular medical check-ups, comprehensive heart health assessments, and personalized consultation with our healthcare providers to ensure early detection, prevention, and treatment of heart conditions.

At Town Center Family Practice, we offer several different types of electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) tests to help diagnose heart-related conditions and provide personalized cardiac care to our patients.

The most commonly performed test at our practice is the standard resting EKG, which records your heart’s electrical activity while you are comfortably lying down. It helps us assess your heart rate, rhythm, and can identify signs of previous heart attacks or ongoing ischemia.

Stress EKG testing, often known as exercise electrocardiography. During this test, our healthcare providers monitor your heart’s electrical signals while you exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. This type of EKG helps identify heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease, that may only become evident during physical exertion.

Event monitoring, which is similar to Holter monitoring but used for longer durations. Event monitors record your heart’s electrical activity when triggered by you or automatically when an abnormal rhythm occurs. This type of monitoring is especially valuable for diagnosing less frequent or intermittent cardiac symptoms.

While continuous telemetry monitoring is typically performed in hospital settings, our providers can coordinate closely with specialists and hospitals to ensure seamless care if hospitalization or advanced monitoring is necessary for conditions like severe arrhythmias or acute cardiac events.

Our experienced medical team evaluates your specific symptoms, medical history, and unique healthcare needs to determine which EKG test is most appropriate. We are committed to providing comprehensive, tailored cardiac care to support your overall heart health and wellness. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1642 N. Volusia Ave, Orange City, FL 32763. We serve patients from Orange City FL, DeLand FL, Deltona FL, DeBary FL, Lake Monroe FL, Sanford FL, and surrounding areas.