An EKG (electrocardiogram) is a noninvasive test that measures your hearts electrical activity. It can read all aspects including how well the chambers are conducting energy and how fast your heart is beating.

Do You Need A Doctor? – Here are the signs you should seek medical help:

Seek emergency medical attention if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Feeling Faint
• Chest Pressure
• Sudden weakness

EKG readings can reveal many things which may or may not affect your health. They can show dangerous arrhythmias, heart attacks, or normal variances in the heartbeat. Trained medical professionals are needed to read the output accurately as well as determine any follow up treatment needed.

The EKG reading can signify many different things including:

Heart attack: If a heart attack occurs the blood flow to the heart is affected. The tissue of the heart begins to lose oxygen and die. Necrotic tissue does not conduct electricity as well, which will show as an abnormal EKG.

Abnormalities or Defects: An abnormal EKG can signal that one or more aspects of the heart’s size or shape. This can mean that the heart is working harder than it should have to in order to get blood to the rest of the body.

Side Effects of Medications: Certain medications can change a heart’s rate and rhythm. Medications that affect heart rhythm include beta-blockers, sodium channel blockers, and calcium channel blockers.

Electrolyte imbalance: Electricity-conducting particles in the body that help keep the heart muscle beating in rhythm are called electrolytes. They include Potassium, calcium, and magnesium. An imbalance may cause an abnormal EKG reading.

Abnormal Heart Rate or Rythm: The average human heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm) and normally beats in a steady rhythm. An EKG can reveal if the heart is beating out of rhythm or too fast or slow.

If your heart doesn’t feel normal, never just ignore it and hope it will go away. You could be risking your health and even your life. Please call Tampa Cardiovascular Associates if you are in the Tampa Florida area or proceed to your nearest ER or Walk-In Clinic.

Tampa Cardio is located at 3010 E. 138th Avenue, Suite 12 Tampa, Florida 33613. (813) 975-2800. info@tampacardio.com.