What Is An EKG And Why Do I Need One?

An electrocardiogram, also called an EKG or ECG, is a simple and non-invasive test that helps doctors better understand a patient’s heart health and diagnose heart-related problems if need be. The test records the electrical signals in the heart and displays the results on a screen.

Most EKGs are conducted over a period of a few minutes, but if a doctor would like to monitor your health over the course of a few days or weeks, he or she may give you a mobile EKG to wear throughout the day for an extended period of time.

Why Get An EKG?

According to the Mayo Clinic, doctors may order EKGs for their patients for a number of reasons, including:

• Monitoring Heart Health: If you have a history of heart disease or heart attacks, or if the doctor suspects an abnormal heart rhythm, he or she may order an EKG just to be safe.

• Assessing the Effectiveness of a Pacemaker: If you have a pacemaker, an EKG can help determine whether it is doing its job.

• Finding the Cause of Various Symptoms: If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, your doctor may order an EKG to try to diagnose the problem:
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness or light-headedness
  • Sense of confusion
  • Weakness or general fatigue
  • Heart palpitations
  • Rapid pulse

Where To Get An EKG:

Because most EKGs are administered at hospitals and doctor’s offices, most people assume that you must receive an EKG at a facility. However, you can receive an EKG from the comfort of your home just as easily and effectively. In fact, getting an EKG at home reduces the stress of having to go to the doctor’s office or hospital, while it also reduces the risk of exposing yourself to germs at these facilities.

At-home care providers can set up EKGs for patients at home. And because the test is non-invasive and only takes a few minutes, receiving it at home makes sense for many people. See below for how you can receive an EKG at home.

Get The Home Care You Need with Kinkaid:

If you or your loved one needs an at-home EKG, please reach out to us to see how we can help. Kinkaid Private Nursing Care offers premium in-home services to patients looking for the best and most intensive care on the market. We only take on a few clients at a time, so we always provide specialized care to meet the needs of each client.

For more information, please visit our homepage and learn about the array of services we provide. These services include at-home EKGs, in-home nursing care, and the coordination of a variety of at-home medical services in the Los Angeles area, as well as home detox services all over the state of California. We also offer at-home Covid-19 testing.