An EKG sometimes called an ECG is an electrocardiogram. These record electrical signals in the heart. It is a common and painless test that is used to quickly detect problems in the heart and monitor heart health.

An EKG can be done in a healthcare provider’s office, in a clinic, or a hospital. EKG machines are common equipment in operating rooms and ambulances. There are even personal devices like smartwatches that do EKG monitoring.

An EKG is painless and noninvasive. It is an easy way to diagnose most common heart problems. Your doctor may recommend that you have an EKG done for the following reasons:

• To check for irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
• To find out if there are narrowed or blocked arteries in your heart that are causing chest pain or heart attack (coronary artery disease).
• It can detect a previous heart attack.
• It can indicate how certain heart disease treatments are working, such as a pacemaker.

EKG tests are done to check on the condition of your heart. Some symptoms can indicate that an EKG would be necessary. These signs and symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or confusion
• Rapid pulse
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness, fatigue, or a reduced ability to exercise

The American Heart Association suggests that using EKGs to assess people who are at low risk of heart problems or show no symptoms is inappropriate. If your family has a history of heart problems or heart disease, your doctor may recommend a screening test, even if no symptoms are present.

Usually, emergency rooms and urgent care centers can do EKG testing. Urgent care centers will deal with less severe or more routine types of EKG testing. Some urgent care centers do not provide EKG testing.

Visiting an urgent care center for an EKG can be much easier than going to an emergency room. It is much easier during the day. Urgent cares tend to have fewer people waiting to be seen and will provide faster services than an ER. ERs will prioritize people as they come in, depending on the immediacy of their needs. If the chest pain you are experiencing is less severe than another person’s condition, you will have to wait.

An urgent care clinic is set up to deal with less serious conditions before they become severe. For example, if you have chest pains, you can visit an urgent care clinic. If the chest pain is due to a heart attack, you will be sent immediately to an ER that is equipped to handle severe and life-threatening conditions.

There are times when your primary care physician recommends that you get an EKG. These times are not necessarily emergencies and an urgent care center can make this process easier and require less time. Urgent Medical Care provides EKG testing and other lab and testing services. We are fast and affordable. If you wish, you can call and set up a time to have your EKG done. We have two locations to serve you in Plymouth and Bloomfield Hills areas. We serve patients from Plymouth MI, Bloomfield Hills MI, Livonia MI, Novi MI, Worden MI, Canton MI, Southfield MI, Troy MI, Farmington Hills MI, and surrounding areas!