According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. Approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer heart attacks or strokes annually. One dollar out of every six dollars spent on health care in the United States goes to the treatment of heart related diseases that account for hundreds of billions of dollars each year. The average age of men, when they suffer their first heart attack, is around 65, but as many as 10% of heart attacks occur before age 45. At Delta IMC, our Internist uses an electrocardiogram (abbreviated EKG or ECG) to measure the electrical activity of a patient’s heartbeat. The results from an ECG heart test allows the doctor to detect irregularities, make an early diagnosis of heart conditions and monitor any heart disorders.
An ECG heart test is a quick, painless and non-evasive method of measuring and recording your heart activity as part of a routine stress test or before outpatient or in-hospital surgery. The results show how fast your heart is beating and helps doctors determine the rhythm and strength of each beat. Electrocardiograms are often used for diagnosing, treating and monitoring the following conditions:
- Angina
- Aortic Stenosis
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Chest Pain
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Low Blood Pressure
- Hypertension
- Heart Attack
- Hemochromatosis
- Heart Palpitations
- Pericarditis
- Pre-Operative Exams
- Scleroderma
- Stroke
- Ventricular Defects
During an electrocardiogram, up to a dozen sensors, called electrodes, are painlessly attached to your chest, arms and/or legs. The brief ECG heart test will measure the electrical impulse that travels through the heart causing the muscle to pump blood. The regularity, strength and timing of each wave is recorded and examined by a board-certified physician. By accurately measuring the electrical activity, the graph produced by an electrocardiogram can be used to determine if your heart is abnormal or overworked.
This fast and painless test is an important tool for diagnosing and treating heart conditions caused by diseases, heart malformations and hereditary risk factors. To protect your health, call Delta IMC at (407) 985-1940 and schedule a wellness physical. An Electrocardiogram can save your life.