Electrocardiography Tests

Electrocardiography is a commonly used, non-invasive procedure for recording electrical changes in the heart. It is used to diagnose a variety of conditions. Loyola offers multiple services, including:

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart at rest and probably is the most widely used diagnostic heart test. It is quick, painless and inexpensive. Electrodes are applied to each arm, leg and six different areas on the chest. A short recording is made on graph paper as the person is lying still. The pattern of the printed waves can show if the heartbeat is normal, stressed, damaged or having other electrical problems. The EKG is then read by a cardiologist and the results are sent to the referring physician.

Event Monitor
An event monitor is a small device that is used by a patient to record the heart for 30 days. The patient starts the recorder when a symptom such as dizziness or light-headedness is felt. The information is stored in the monitor until it is transmitted over the telephone to be analyzed. Results are sent to the physician who ordered the test. An event monitor is used for patients who may occasionally experience the symptoms of an irregular heart rhythm, because it is difficult to catch a rare episode of arrhythmia in a 24-hour period with a holter monitor.

Holter Monitor
A holter monitor is a cassette recorder that is used to document heart rhythm or beats continuously for 24 to 48 hours. The patient wears the monitor as he or she goes about his or her daily routine. Sometimes the heartbeat changes with activity or stress; it can even become irregular while resting. When the heart palpitates, many times the patient feels nothing in the chest but may experience dizziness or light-headedness. Any symptoms that occur over the documentation period are written in a diary that is turned in along with the monitor tape to be analyzed. Results are sent to the physician who ordered the test.

Signal Averaged Electrocardiogram
A signal averaged electrocardiogram (SAE) is an EKG that picks up and records very small waves (electrical potentials). The presence of these waves has been associated with certain abnormal rhythms, especially in patients with heart blockage or coronary artery disease, a history of heart attack, repeated heart failure and heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy). The test is done the same way an EKG is taken, though the waveforms take slightly longer to obtain. The SAE is read by an electrophysiologist and the results are sent to the referring physician.

Contact Us

For an appointment or for more information about Electrocardiography Tests, call (888) LUHS-888.