An electrocardiogram (EKG) uses small, temporary electrodes placed on your chest and limbs to monitor and record your heart’s electrical activity. A computer translates these signals into wave patterns that your provider can interpret.

An EKG is a quick, painless, non‑invasive test—typically taking only a few minutes—that gives your provider important information about how your heart is functioning. It can help identify concerns such as:

• Irregular or abnormal heart rhythms
• Evidence of a past heart attack
• Signs of heart failure or heart muscle damage
• How well a pacemaker is working

Because it captures your heart’s electrical activity in real time, an EKG is often one of the first tests used when someone is experiencing symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath. It may be performed while you are resting or as part of a stress test to see how your heart responds to physical activity.

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that evaluates the structure and function of the heart. It allows providers to assess the heart muscle, heart valves, and blood flow through the heart.

What to expect:

• You will change into a gown and lie on your left side.
• Electrodes will be placed on your chest for continuous EKG monitoring.
• A transducer (ultrasound probe) will be moved across your chest to capture images.

A cardiologist interprets the results. Please allow approximately one hour for this test. An echocardiogram provides detailed information about how well your heart is pumping and how effectively your valves are working.

Holter monitoring is a 24‑ to 48‑hour test that continuously records your heart rhythm during your normal daily activities. It helps detect abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) that may not appear during a standard in‑office EKG.

This test is especially helpful when symptoms—such as palpitations, dizziness, or episodes of rapid or irregular heartbeat—come and go throughout the day.

What to expect:

• Small electrodes are placed on your chest and connected to a lightweight, portable recorder worn under your clothing.
• You will keep a detailed diary of your symptoms and activities. Recording every symptom—even mild or brief ones—is essential, as it allows your provider to match your experiences with your heart rhythm.
• Avoid bathing, swimming, or any activity that may get the device wet.
• Avoid electric blankets, magnets, metal detectors, and high‑voltage areas that may interfere with the recording.
• Wear loose‑fitting, button‑down clothing on the day of application.
• Allow about 30 minutes for setup.

At the end of the monitoring period, the recorder is removed and the data is analyzed by a physician. Holter monitoring provides valuable insight into how your heart functions throughout the day and night, revealing patterns, triggers, or rhythm changes that help guide your provider’s evaluation.

Event monitoring is used to evaluate symptoms that occur less frequently or unpredictably. You will wear a small heart monitor for up to 30 days, allowing your provider to capture your heart rhythm only when symptoms occur.

How it works:

• You wear a lightweight monitor under your clothing throughout the day.
• When you feel a symptom—such as palpitations, dizziness, or fluttering—you press a button to record your heart’s electrical activity at that moment.
• These recordings help your provider determine whether your symptoms are related to an abnormal heart rhythm.

Event monitoring provides valuable insight when symptoms are intermittent and may not appear during a short‑term test like an EKG or Holter monitor.

Stress testing evaluates how well your heart functions during physical activity. It helps your provider assess blood flow to the heart, diagnose coronary artery disease, monitor disease progression, and evaluate how well current treatments are working.

What to expect:

• You will walk on a treadmill while your heart rate, blood pressure, and EKG are monitored.
• The test gradually increases in intensity to see how your heart responds to physical stress.
• If you are unable to exercise, a pharmaceutical stress test may be used. Medication is given to safely mimic the effects of physical activity by increasing blood flow to the heart.
• All stress tests are personally supervised by a cardiologist.

Stress testing provides important information about how your heart performs under exertion, helping guide diagnosis and treatment planning.