What is an EKG?

An EKG — also called an ECG, or electrocardiogram — is a simple, painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart. Small stickers called electrodes are placed on your chest, arms and legs, and the machine records your heart’s rhythm and pattern as a tracing your provider can review.

An EKG does not send electricity into your body. It only records the signals your heart naturally makes.

Why would my primary care provider order an EKG?

Your provider may suggest an EKG to help:

• Evaluate chest discomfort or pressure
• Look into palpitations — a racing, fluttering or skipping heartbeat
• Monitor your heart over time, for example when you have a heart condition or risk factors and your provider wants a baseline or follow-up tracing
• Support pre-operative or sports clearance, when a recent heart tracing is requested as part of your clearance

An EKG is one piece of information your provider uses, together with your history, exam and any other tests that are needed. It does not diagnose a condition on its own. Your provider will talk with you about what your results mean for you.

What happens during the test?

The test is painless and takes only a few minutes. Here is what to expect:

• Lie down and relax. You will lie on an exam table. You may be asked to uncover your chest area, and to lie still and breathe normally.
• Electrodes are placed. Small sticky electrodes are placed on your chest, arms and legs. They are painless — some people feel a brief coolness when they are applied.
• The recording is made. The machine records your heart’s activity for a few seconds to a few minutes.
• That’s it. The electrodes come off, you get dressed and you can go straight back to your normal day. There is no recovery time.

The test is done in our office — there is no separate trip to a hospital or imaging center.

Who is an EKG for?

An EKG may be helpful for:

• Adults with chest discomfort, palpitations, dizziness or shortness of breath that a provider wants to evaluate
• People with high blood pressure, diabetes or other conditions where heart monitoring is part of ongoing care
• Anyone who needs a recent EKG for pre-operative or sports clearance
• Anyone whose provider wants a baseline tracing to compare with in the future

If you ever have severe chest pain, trouble breathing or symptoms that feel like an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away — do not wait for a routine appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Does an EKG hurt?
No. An EKG is painless. There are no needles, and no electricity is sent into your body. The electrodes are small stickers placed on the skin.

How long does it take?
The recording itself takes only a few minutes. Your whole office visit is usually short, but please allow a little extra time for check-in and for your provider to talk with you.

Do I need to prepare?
Usually no special preparation is needed. Wear a top that is easy to lift or remove, and let your provider know about any medicines you take. Your provider will tell you if anything specific is needed for your visit.

When do I get my results?
Your provider will review the tracing and share the results with you, usually at your visit or by follow-up contact. Timing can vary, so please ask at your visit how and when you will hear from us.

Visit us in Cutler Bay

Newage Medical Group
18901 SW 106th Ave, Suite A109, Cutler Bay, FL 33157
Phone: (305) 964-5980
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Saturday by appointment only
We care for patients with or without insurance, in English and Spanish.