EKGs Specialist

Electrocardiograms (EKGs) give you valuable information about your heart health or pacemaker function by recording electrical impulses from your heartbeat onto a graph. At Dr. Jarrett’s Wellness Center in Miami, Florida, Wentworth Jarrett, MD, and the team use the test to record your heartbeat and identify irregularities. To find out if you need an EKG, book an appointment today, 305-520-5750.

EKGs Q & A

What are EKGs?

Electrocardiograms (EKGs) are quick tests that evaluate your heart’s function by measuring the electrical waves from your heartbeat. Every time your heart beats, the muscle produces a measurable electrical impulse.

An EKG produces a graph that shows these electrical impulses. The right and left upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, produce what’s called a P wave on an EKG chart.

When the electrical impulses go through the lower chambers, called the ventricles, they produce a second wave called a QRS complex. Finally, the T wave shows the heart’s muscle returning to baseline.

By looking at these waves and comparing them to waves from the average healthy heart, the team at Dr. Jarrett’s Wellness Center can locate irregularities and use the results to make a diagnosis.

Why do I need EKGs?

There are several different reasons why the team at Dr. Jarrett’s Wellness Center might need to evaluate your heartbeat using an EKG. An EKG can be useful in:

Finding the cause of certain symptoms, like chest pain or fainting
Identifying an irregular heartbeat
Seeing if your pacemaker is working
Seeing if certain heart medications are working
Evaluating your heart’s health before surgery

An EKG is almost entirely risk-free because it merely records your heart rate; it doesn’t send electrical impulses of its own through your heart muscle. However, some behaviors and underlying conditions can interfere with your results.

To make sure your results are as accurate as possible, the team at Dr. Jarrett’s Wellness Center tells you to avoid exercise before the test, avoid smoking before the test, and eat a well-balanced meal.

What should I expect during an EKG?

An EKG at Dr. Jarrett’s Wellness Center is a quick outpatient procedure that won’t take much of your time or energy. You should remove your jewelry before the test, and the team gives you a privacy gown to wear after you remove your shirt. Then, they attach electrodes to your chest and limbs.

You lay down during the test and should remain as still as possible since movement can affect your results. Your technician attaches lead wires to the electrodes, starts the machine’s recording, and disconnects the leads when you’re done.

The team discusses the results with you and what they mean for your next steps in treatment.

If you experience symptoms involving your heart, or if you’re having trouble with a pacemaker, call Dr. Jarrett’s Wellness Center at 305-520-5750.