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Signal-Average Electrocardiogram
Overview
What is a Signal-Average
Electrocardiogram?
An EKG is one of the simplest and fastest procedures used to evaluate
the heart. Electrodes (small, plastic patches) are placed at certain
locations on your chest, arms, and legs. When the electrodes are
connected to the EKG machine by wire leads, the electrical activity
of your heart is measured, interpreted, and printed out for the
physician's information and further interpretation.
A signal-average electrocardiogram is a more detailed type of
EKG, in which multiple EKG tracings are obtained over a period
of approximately 20 minutes, in order to capture abnormal heartbeats
which may occur only intermittently. A computer captures all the
electrical signals from your heart and averages them to provide
the physician more detail regarding how your heart’s electrical
conduction system is working.
Reasons
for the Procedure
As previously mentioned, some reasons your physician may request
an EKG may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- to determine the cause of chest pain
- to evaluate other signs and symptoms which may be heart-related,
such as fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting,
etc.
- to help identify irregular heartbeats
- for further evaluation of arrhythmias noted on resting EKG
Risks
of the Procedure
No known risks.
Procedures Listing
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