Urgent Care with EKG in Dearborn, MI

Dr. Horst Griesser and his team at Specialty Urgent Care understand the critical role that an EKG (also known as an ECG or electrocardiogram) can play in diagnosing and monitoring a variety of heart conditions. This non-invasive diagnostic test, which records the electrical activity of the heart, is one of the many diagnostic tools available at our practice.

The procedure involves attaching small adhesive patches, or electrodes, to the skin. These are connected to a machine that records the heart’s electrical signals, providing us with valuable insights into the heart’s rate, rhythm, and structural health.

The signals recorded by the EKG appear as waves on a graph, providing a continuous tracing of the heart’s electrical activity. This includes the timing and duration of electrical impulses as they are produced and pass through the heart. This data is invaluable to Dr. Griesser and his team, allowing them to assess factors such as heart rate, rhythm, electrical conduction, potential heart damage, and the presence of heart defects.

EKGs are commonly used at Specialty Urgent Care to detect a variety of heart conditions that may not have any other outward symptoms. They can reveal signs of heart disease, previous heart attacks, blocked arteries, and more. EKGs are also an important tool for us to evaluate symptoms including chest pain and shortness of breath or palpitations, monitor heart conditions like arrhythmias or heart failure, identify risk factors associated with heart disease, as well as assess the effectiveness of cardiac treatments or medications.

An EKG is a non-invasive procedure that monitors the heart’s electrical activity, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of many types of heart diseases. This procedure is critical in our practice, as it provides us with a detailed picture of the heart’s activity, enabling us to detect abnormalities such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, an enlarged heart, electrolyte imbalances, heart valve problems, and the presence of any potential damage to the heart muscle or to the conduction system. Additionally, it can reveal the effects of certain drugs or devices on the heart.

At our urgent care, the procedure begins with attaching electrodes or small sticky patches to the patient’s chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes are connected to the EKG machine by wires, where they detect and amplify the electrical signals from the heart and then transmit them to the EKG machine.

The EKG machine then records these signals as waves on graph paper or a digital screen. Our healthcare providers are skilled at interpreting this EKG tracing to assess the heart’s rhythm, rate, and electrical conduction.

Dr. Griesser often uses an EKG to investigate the cause of chest discomfort in his patients. By analyzing the electrical activity of the heart, he can determine if the chest pain is heart-related or due to other conditions, ensuring accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Moreover, Dr. Griesser uses an EKG to detect irregular heart rhythms, known as arrhythmias. These could be indicative of conditions such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or ventricular tachycardia, which can lead to symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness as well as shortness of breath.

Furthermore, Dr. Griesser employs EKG tests to assess the overall heart health of patients before certain medical procedures, like surgery. This preoperative assessment ensures that the patient’s cardiovascular system can withstand the stresses of surgery.

Additionally, for his patients at high risk of heart disease, Dr. Griesser uses EKG as a standard tool for early detection. It can identify potential abnormalities that might signal early signs of coronary artery disease, heart failure, or other cardiovascular conditions.

For patients on heart medications, Dr. Griesser uses an EKG to monitor the effectiveness of their treatment. It helps in assessing if the medication is controlling the symptoms and preventing abnormal heart rhythms.

For individuals with pacemakers, Dr. Griesser uses an EKG to check the function of the device and ensure it delivers the appropriate electrical impulses to the heart.

The test is typically not painful. Small electrode patches will be attached to the skin on your chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes measure and transmit the electrical signals of your heart to a machine that records these signals as waveforms. You might feel slight discomfort when these electrodes are attached, but it is typically not painful.

Please rest assured that there is no electricity sent to your body from the machine, and there is no risk of electric shock. However, if you have sensitive skin the adhesive used to attach the electrodes might cause minor discomfort or irritation. This discomfort is temporary and subsides once the electrodes are removed.

When you come in for your EKG at Specialty Urgent Care, our professional team will guide you through the process. You will be asked by your provider to remove any metal objects like jewelry that have the potential to interfere with the EKG readings. For the EKG, you may need to change into a hospital gown.

Our healthcare providers will place electrodes, small, sticky patches, on your chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes are subsequently connected to the EKG machine to record the heart’s electrical impulses. After the electrodes have been placed, you will be asked to lie still on an examination table and breathe normally. The technician will then initiate the EKG machine, which will start recording your heartbeats.

Following the procedure, the electrodes will be removed, and you will be provided with a copy of the EKG tracing. Dr. Griesser will analyze the pattern of spikes and dips on your EKG to assess the regularity of your heartbeat, the position of your heart chambers, and the risk of heart attack. Dr. Griesser will discuss the results with you at a later date, usually during a follow-up appointment, to determine if any further testing or treatment is necessary.

Specialty Urgent Care provides a quick, non-invasive test to monitor heart health by measuring electrical activity and detecting potential heart issues. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 13530 Michigan Ave, Suite 120 Dearborn, MI 48126. We serve patients from Dearborn MI, Dearborn Heights MI, Garden City MI, Inkster MI, Taylor MI, Allen Park MI, and surrounding areas.