During your first 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
A provider takes a small amount of blood from your body. Laboratory technicians then test the blood sample for signs of heart issues.
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the electrical activity in your heart through electrodes attached to the body and connected to a machine with wires.
A specialist guides electrodes inside your heart through a catheter (thin, flexible tube). Once in place, the electrodes monitor your heart’s electrical activity. Sometimes, the provider can pinpoint the source of your heart rhythm problem.
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.
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.
