Alpha One Imaging provides mobile EKG services onsite throughout the entire state of Louisiana.

Patient receiving EKG

 Why It Is Done

An EKG is done to:

  • Check the heart’s electrical activity.
  • Find the cause of unexplained chest pain, which could be caused by a heart attack, inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis), or angina.
  • Find the cause of symptoms of heart disease, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, or rapid, irregular heartbeats (palpitations).
  • Find out if the walls of the heart chambers are too thick (hypertrophied).
  • Check how well medicines are working and whether they are causing side effects that affect the heart.
  • Check how well mechanical devices that are implanted in the heart, such as pacemakers, are working to control a normal heartbeat.
  • Check the health of the heart when other diseases or conditions are present, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes, or a family history of early heart disease. 

Risks of an EKG

There is not a chance of problems while having an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). A portable EKG is a completely safe test and usually takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

The electrodes are used to transfer an image of the electrical activity of the heart to tracing on paper. No electricity passes through the body from the machine, and there is no danger of getting an electrical shock.

Ekg Heart

Who Needs an Electrocardiogram?

You may recommend an electrocardiogram (EKG) if your patient has signs or symptoms such as:

  • Chest pain
  • Heart pounding, racing, or fluttering
  • Breathing problems
  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Unusual heart sounds

A mobile EKG also may be done as part of a routine health exam. The test can screen for early heart disease that has no symptoms. It is more common to look for early heart disease if the mother, father, brother, or sister had heart disease–especially early in life.

It may also be performed to check how well heart medicine or a medical device, such as a pacemaker, is working. The test also may be used for routine screening before major surgery.

EKG results can also help to plan treatment for a heart condition.