During your initial office visit, your healthcare provider will spend time with you and learn more about your symptoms and overall health. They will:
- Conduct a physical exam
- Discuss your medical history and your current medical conditions
- Listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
- Check your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen level
An ECG or EKG records the electrical activity in your heart through electrodes attached to the body and connected to a machine with wires.
This device, usually worn for 30 days, allows patients to push a button and record symptoms when they appear. Some event recorders work automatically when irregular heartbeats occur.
For this test, you will walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bicycle while connected to heart monitoring equipment. The test shows how well your heart functions during physical activity, including whether blood flow to the heart is reduced with exertion.
A patch monitor is a battery-operated ECG that sticks to your chest. While wearing the patch monitor, you can do nearly all your usual activities, even showering. The test usually lasts for one to two weeks.
