Monitoring Heart Health with Electrocardiogram (EKG) in Williamsport, PA

An electrocardiogram (EKG), also called an ECG, is a painless test that records your heart’s electrical activity. An EKG can help your doctor see how fast your heart is beating and if the heartbeat is irregular, regular, strong or weak.

If your doctor has recommended an EKG to test your heart, UPMC offers a wide range of diagnostic testing services, including EKG, in Williamsport, PA, and the surrounding areas. 

Why an Electrocardiogram Is Performed

At UPMC, our cardiology providers use EKGs to monitor and diagnose heart problems, such as abnormal heartbeats (cardiac arrhythmias), heart disease (coronary artery disease) and heart attack.

An EKG may be recommended if you are having:

• Chest pain
• Weakness or dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual fatigue
• Racing or irregular heartbeat

You may have an EKG to monitor an existing heart condition or before a surgical procedure to confirm your heart is healthy enough for surgery.

What to Expect With an Electrocardiogram at UPMC Susquehanna

An EKG may be performed in a UPMC hospital, clinic, doctor’s office, your home or in an ambulance, either by a nurse, technician or doctor. During the test, sticky electrodes will be attached to your chest, legs and arms. These are connected to the EKG machine. The machine will record the electrical activity of your heart. An EKG takes about 10 minutes and is painless. There are no known risks or complications associated with this test.

The Results of an Electrocardiogram

Once your test is complete, your doctor will review the results to see how fast your heart is beating, if there are any irregularities, or how weak or strong your heartbeat is.

An EKG provides your doctor with the following information:

• Heart defects
• Heart rhythm irregularities (arrhythmia)
• Reduced blood and oxygen to your heart
• Signs of a heart attack and damage to your heart

Experienced providers at UPMC specialize in monitoring and diagnosing heart conditions with EKG in Williamsport, PA, and the surrounding areas.