12 Lead Electrocardiogram (EKG)

Purpose

To check the health of your heart by seeing if you have irregular and/or dangerous heart beats.

Test

It measures the electrical activity of your heart and takes 5 - 10 minutes. Ten pads are put on your chest, arms and legs. A special recording machine is hooked to the pads and a reading of your heart rate and rhythm is printed on paper.

Important Points:

  1. The test does not hurt and has no risk and is routine to have before surgery
  2. You will be asked to loosen or remove your clothes from the waist up
  3. Please tell the technician if you are wearing any cream, lotion or powder. This must be removed to get a good reading
  4. Check in at the Admitting Office before coming to the Outpatient Testing Room to have your EKG completed

Outpatient EKGs are completed Monday through Friday, 8 am until 4:30 pm. NO appointment is necessary.

Questions

Call the Cardiopulmonary Department if you have questions at (252) 808-6195.