Electrocardiogram (EKG) Specialist in Fort Myers FL, and Lehigh Acres FL

EKG tests measure the electrical activity in your heart that is produced when the heart contracts during the systolic period of a heartbeat. As such, an EKG test can detect a variety of different conditions and diseases related to the heart and arteries. With that in mind, some of the conditions that an EKG test can detect are as follows:

• Arrhythmia, otherwise known as an irregular heartbeat
• Blocked or clogged arteries
• Cardiomegaly, which is an enlarged heart
• Certain lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, pulmonary hypertension, or pulmonary embolism
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Coronary occlusion, or damage to the heart due to artery blockages
• Current or past heart attack, as well as heart damage from a previous heart attack
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Irregular position of the heart
• Myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle
• Pericarditis, or inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart
• Poor blood supply to the heart

There is no technical difference between an ECG and an EKG, as they are both abbreviations for the same test, an electrocardiogram. However, ECG directly abbreviates electrocardiogram, while EKG is the German abbreviation for electrocardiogram or the German translation of electrocardiogram. With that being said, EKG is commonly used to refer to an electrocardiogram to avoid confusion with an electroencephalogram (EEG), which measures electrical activity in the brain cells rather than the heart.

There are numerous reasons for having an EKG performed. However, three common reasons that a person would get an EKG include the following:

• Determine a person’s heart function during a routine physical exam or before a surgical procedure
• Evaluate common symptoms of heart conditions, such as chest pain, dizziness, extreme fatigue, fainting, or shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• See how well the heart is functioning after treatment for a heart condition or how well an implanted pacemaker is working

On their own, EKG tests have modest accuracy for detecting heart problems. As such, they are usually most effective when used in conjunction with other tests, such as various blood tests or a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the heart. There are also certain factors that can affect or interfere with the results of an EKG, such as various medications, exercise or smoking before the test, movement during the test, or fluid buildup in the abdomen. With that in mind, your doctor will likely provide you with some pre-testing instructions to ensure the most accurate results from an EKG test.

For an appointment for EKG services or more information about EKG tests at the primary care clinic of Dr. Pedro P. Ylisastigui, MD, please feel free to reach out to us! We welcome you to give us a call or schedule an appointment with us right here on our website. Dr. Pedro P. Ylisastigui, MD, has clinics located in Lehigh Acres and Fort Myers, Florida. We Serve Patients from Lehigh Acres FL, Fort Myers FL, Buckingham FL, Cypress Lake FL, Gateway FL, Cape Coral FL, Palmona Park FL, and Alva FL.