EKG Testing Clinic in Falls Church, VA

An EKG, also called an ECG, is a non-invasive test that records the electrical activity of the heart, providing valuable information about heart rhythm, rate, and conduction. This vital information allows our expert medical team to diagnose a range of heart conditions, assess your heart’s overall health, and monitor any existing heart conditions effectively.

If you’re experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, or rapid or irregular heartbeats, our medical team might recommend an EKG. With the use of this test, our professionals can ascertain whether these symptoms are caused by cardiac disorders such as arrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeats.

Our team also uses EKGs to assess chest pain, especially if a heart attack is suspected. It can detect changes in the EKG pattern that suggest a blocked coronary artery, a common cause of heart attacks.

We emphasize the importance of early detection, especially for those with a family history of heart disease or other risk factors. We use EKGs as a precautionary measure to detect potential issues early, particularly for patients at high risk, such as those with thyroid disorders, electrolyte imbalances, drug toxicity, or lung diseases.

An EKG may be used to establish a baseline of your heart’s function when starting new medication that could affect your heart, monitor pacemaker or ICD effectiveness, or assess the response to heart failure therapy. We consider the EKG an essential tool in delivering comprehensive heart health care and ensuring the best outcomes for our patients.

Electrocardiograms (EKG or ECG) are a non-invasive procedure that accurately evaluates your heart’s electrical activity. Our specialized medical team is trained to interpret the line tracings on the EKG paper, detecting vital information about your heart’s rate, rhythm, and the presence of any abnormalities in its electrical conduction. An EKG is can accurately gauge the rate and regularity of your heartbeats, which can help indicate potential heart conditions.

An EKG can also measure the size and position of your heart chambers. Any enlargement or misplacement of a chamber, which can delay electrical signals, can be identified through an EKG.

We use EKG testing to detect heart damage, including from past heart attacks, and identify issues with your heart’s conduction system. It helps diagnose conditions like arrhythmias, ischemia, infarction, and cardiomyopathy. An EKG also monitors the effects of medications or devices, such as pacemakers, and tracks heart health in patients with risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and a family history of heart disease.

At Nova Patient Care, we use EKGs to measure multiple aspects of your heart’s electrical activity, providing us with invaluable information about your heart’s function and overall health.

Before your EKG, be sure to inform our healthcare team about any medications, supplements, or over-the-counter drugs you’re taking. Certain medications can affect EKG results, and our team may suggest you stop taking some of them prior to the test.

When preparing for your appointment, wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be easily removed from the waist up. Our healthcare providers need easy access to your chest to place the electrodes. Please also avoid wearing jewelry and body piercings that could interfere with the electrodes.

It’s important to cleanse the areas where the electrodes will be placed (chest, abdomen, and limbs) with warm water and soap before your appointment. Avoid using oily or greasy skin creams or lotions, as they can prevent proper contact between the electrodes and your skin.

While fasting isn’t typically necessary before an EKG, we advise eating a light meal to avoid discomfort. For certain types of EKGs, such as exercise stress tests, you may be asked to fast for at least 4 hours prior to the test. It’s also important to stay hydrated, as dehydration can impact the accuracy of the EKG.

To ensure the most accurate results, avoid strenuous exercise, caffeine, and smoking before your test. Arriving a few minutes early to your appointment allows time for preparation and relaxation.

An EKG procedure is typically painless. Small electrode patches are placed on your chest, arms, and sometimes limbs, which are connected to a machine that records your heart’s activity. You may feel the patches as slightly cool or sticky, and some people may experience minor skin irritation or redness at the electrode sites, but these sensations are usually temporary and cause minimal discomfort.

It’s natural to feel anxious, especially if it’s your first time undergoing an EKG. We want to reassure our patients that an EKG is a standard procedure we use routinely to monitor heart health. Early detection of heart problems can enable timely and appropriate treatment, improving health outcomes.

An EKG typically takes between five to ten minutes, and you can usually go about your day once it’s completed. Our healthcare providers are always attentive to your comfort, so if you experience any discomfort during the procedure, please communicate this to us so we can make the necessary adjustments or further explain the procedure to alleviate your concerns.

An EKG at Nova Patient Care is a quick and straightforward procedure that offers valuable insights into your heart health. Our healthcare team is here to address any questions or concerns, ensuring your comfort and well-being throughout the process. Contact us or book an appointment and begin your journey towards better heart health. We are conveniently located to serve you at 5860 Columbia Pike, Bailey’s Crossroads, VA 22041. We serve patients from Annandale VA, Arlington VA, Bethel VA, Dale City VA, Falls Church VA, Fort Hunt VA, Franconia VA, Huntington VA, Richmond Hwy Alexandria VA, Idylwood VA, Kingstowne Center Alexandria VA, Lake Barcroft VA, Mclean VA, Newington VA, Old Town Alexandria VA, Pentagon City Arlington VA, Seven Corners VA, Tysons VA, Woodbridge, VA and surrounding areas.