Electrocardiogram at Hospital CMQ in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit
Benefits of an EKG Test for the Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease
The electrocardiogram ( EKG) is an essential medical test that measures the heart’s electrical activity. Thanks to this screening, doctors can detect arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other heart rhythm disturbances, long before serious symptoms appear. At Hospital CMQ in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, we offer EKG testing using the latest techniques and highly qualified staff. When you have your EKG at our facilities, you get the tranquility of a reliable diagnosis and the support and expertise of our medical staff. At Hospital CMQ we are deeply committed to the care of your heart.
What is an electrocardiogram (EKG)?
An electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG, is a non-invasive medical test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. Additionally, it is a quick, painless test that offers immediate results, making it an essential tool in the prevention and diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. An EKG test takes less than 10 minutes and is typically recommended once a year for patients over 45 years. Also, when there are symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or irregular palpitations. Schedule your EKG at Hospital CMQ!
At Hospital CMQ, we have highly trained specialists and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure accurate and fast EKG results.
Meet Our Physicians Who Perform and Interpret EKG
Electrocardiogram Equipment Available in Hospital CMQ
At Hospital CMQ, we have state-of-the-art cardiographs that allow us to perform ECGs with maximum precision and speed. The Philips PageWriter TC70 model accurately captures the electrical activity of the heart, ensuring a reliable diagnosis in real time. In addition, this device provides a comfortable and safe experience, minimizing the study time and optimizing the results.
Electrocardiogram Equipment Available in Hospital CMQ
How Is an Electrocardiogram Done?
The process of performing an ECG or EKS is simple, quick, and painless. First, when you arrive at our facility, one of our expert techs will accompany you through the entire scanning procedure. Likewise, our nurses will be with you, making sure you are comfortable at all times. Afterwards, you have to lie down on a stretcher. Next, a series of small electrodes are placed on you: 4 on your arms and legs and 6 on your chest. These electrodes take 12 pictures which are known as electrocardiogram leads.
Likewise, as we already noted, the ECG is a non-invasive test that allows us to obtain crucial information about the health of your heart, evaluating its rhythm and electrical activity. As such, in less than 10 minutes, we can gather results that help us identify possible cardiac abnormalities. This allows us to make informative decisions about your treatment. The data we collect from the electrodes is translated into a graph that lets our specialists evaluate the rhythm, frequency, and strength of your heartbeat. These are important to identify possible cardiac problems such as arrhythmias, heart failure, or heart attack.
“It is important that our patients keep all previous EKGs and bring them along on their visit. This will help us recognize if there are any changes from one study to the next,” says Dr. Leonel Molina.
Steps of an Electrocardiogram: Test Details
- Preparation: Our technicians and nurses will ask you to lie down on an examination table. To ensure accurate readings, they’ll clean the skin where the electrodes will be placed, removing any lotions or perfumes.
- Electrode Placement: Once you’re lying down, small adhesive electrodes are attached to your chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes connect to the electrocardiograph machine to record your heart’s electrical activity.
- Recording the Heart’s Electrical Activity: After placing the electrodes, you’ll remain still and relaxed while your heartbeats are recorded. This process takes no longer than 10 minutes.
- Completion: Once the recording is finished, the electrodes are removed, and the study is complete. Your results are processed immediately and handed to you in print.
- Interpretation: Although a technician or nurse performs the test, a doctor or cardiologist must interpret the ECG results.
How to Prepare for an EKG?
To obtain the best results, we recommend that you come to your appointment in comfortable clothing. We also ask you to avoid using lotions, creams, or oils on your skin on the day of the study, as these may interfere with the correct adhesion of the electrodes. It is also advisable that you remain calm before the procedure, as stress can alter your heart rate and give an inaccurate result.
Fasting or suspending your daily medications is not necessary, but it is important to inform your physician if you have any cardiac devices, like a pacemaker. With these simple recommendations, your electrocardiogram at Hospital CMQ will be fast and effective, providing crucial information about the health of your heart.
Electrocardiogram Results: How to Read an ECG
Your EKG result can be a little complicated to understand. However, our doctors provide this guide to help you understand your results accurately. First, in your results, you will see a graph with three or more series of waves with peaks and gaps. These waves or peaks represent different times in your cardiac cycle. These line patterns (expressed on your ECG as P, QRS, and T), help specialists look for abnormalities in the shape, size, or timing between them.
Therefore, any alteration in these lines may be indicative of arrhythmia, heart tissue damage, coronary insufficiency, or even a heart attack. At Hospital CMQ, our cardiologists interpret these results accurately, helping to detect cardiac problems early and providing a clear and reliable diagnosis to make decisions about your treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is useful for measuring the electrical activity of the heart, helping to detect arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other heart conditions.
The cost of an electrocardiogram performed by appointment (non-urgent or emergency) can vary between $800 and $2,000 pesos. At Hospital CMQ we offer affordable prices for you. Call 322 226 6500 for more details.
No, the electrocardiogram is a painless procedure.
An electrocardiogram is recommended if you have symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or palpitations, or if your doctor suggests it.
Yes, you can have an electrocardiogram if you have a pacemaker or other cardiac devices. The ECG does not interfere with these devices and is a safe test.