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An EKG is a snapshot of the electric patterns in your heart that make it beat. It is a routine test in any cardiac evaluation. You can expect one during an initial evaluation and at any time symptoms change. It is also used to monitor the effects of certain medications. A medical assistant or nurse in the office administers the test. It allows us to look for irregularities in the electrical rhythm of your heart and gives us clues to structural abnormalities of the heart.
Let’s review the basics about EKGs, especially in relation to stress testing:
The preparation involves attaching electrodes to your chest; this is the foundation of the EKG. An EKG records the heart’s electrical signals, producing a graph that represents your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity. During a stress test, this EKG monitoring is continuous, allowing doctors to observe how your heart responds to increasing physical demands.
In addition to the EKG electrodes, a blood pressure cuff is secured to your arm for regular readings, and you may be asked to breathe into a specialized tube to evaluate lung capacity. The core of the stress test typically involves walking on a treadmill or cycling on a stationary bicycle. As you progress, the difficulty increases, challenging your heart to work more vigorously. Throughout this process, the medical team tracks your heart rate, blood pressure, and continuous EKG readings, watching for any abnormalities or concerning symptoms. The test continues until you reach a predetermined target heart rate or display symptoms requiring you to stop the test. Following the active phase, you’ll enter a recovery period where monitoring continues as your heart rate gradually returns to its resting state.
Medical professionals may suggest various types of stress tests based on your individual health profile, all of which incorporate EKG monitoring:
The exercise stress test, as described earlier, utilizes either a treadmill or stationary bike while continuously recording EKG data.
A nuclear stress test involves introducing a small quantity of radioactive material into your bloodstream. Specialized cameras capture images of blood circulation through your heart during rest and exertion, while EKG monitoring provides real-time data on heart rhythm and electrical activity.
Stress echocardiography employs ultrasound technology to create images of your heart before and immediately following exercise, assessing how cardiac muscles react to stress. The EKG component helps correlate any visual abnormalities with electrical irregularities.
For individuals unable to engage in physical exercise, a pharmacological stress test employs medication to replicate the effects of exertion on the heart. The EKG is crucial here to monitor the heart’s response to the medication.
The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) offers a comprehensive evaluation, measuring not only heart function via EKG but also lung performance and overall physical fitness.
Stress MRI utilizes magnetic resonance imaging to produce detailed visualizations of your heart before and during pharmacologically-induced stress. While the MRI provides structural information, a specialized EKG compatible with the magnetic environment continues to monitor the heart’s electrical activity.
Our team of expert cardiologists in Atlanta stands ready to guide you through every phase of your heart health journey, from initial EKG screenings to advanced diagnostic procedures such as comprehensive stress tests. With our state-of-the-art EKG and stress testing equipment, combined with our physicians’ expertise, we’re equipped to provide you with the most accurate and thorough cardiac evaluation possible.
Trust your heart health to CVG’s twenty board-certified cardiologists. Equipped with leading-edge diagnostic tools, a wealth of experience, and compassion, our cardiac team provides the highest level of personalized care.
You can review our cardiologists’ pages and explore their exceptional credentials and dedication to providing quality care. You can trust that our doctors genuinely care about you and will do everything they can to ensure you have the best quality of life possible.
To learn more, please call (770) 962-0399 or 678-582-8586. You may also request an appointment online. If you have an emergency, don’t contact us online; please call 911.