WEBVTT FILE

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 "All right, the test has started.

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 Breathe normally."

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An electrocardiogram - also
called an ECG or EKG - is a

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test that measures
your heart's electrical

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activity which is what
causes the heart muscle to

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squeeze and pump blood.

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An ECG records the timing
and strength of these

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impulses to show if your
heart is beating too fast,

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too slow, or abnormally.

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It can also tell if your
heart is working too hard.

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 "So, if you're having chest discomfort,

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 dizziness, fast heartbeat, palpitations, or many

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 other symptoms associated with the heart, an EKG is

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 a good first test to see where this is coming

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 from."

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Before the test, tell your
provider about any drugs

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or supplements you take.

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They could affect
your results.

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When you arrive for the
test, you'll remove your

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clothes from the waist up
and change into a gown.

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 "Go ahead and lie back for me."

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Then, you'll lie on a
table or hospital bed.

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The technician will attach
sticky patches called

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electrodes to your
chest, arms, and legs.

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If you have a lot of
hair it may be clipped or

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shaved to help
the patches stick.

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 "The electrodes are attached to a computer

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 that records your electrical impulses.

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 And those impulses will show up as waves on the

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 monitor or a printout."

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The test takes about
5 to 10 minutes.

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Afterward, the technician
will remove the electrodes

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and you can go home.

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 "So, if your test is negative, which means it

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 came back benign, it probably is either not

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 your heart, or your doctor needs to do other testing

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 to see what it is.

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 If the test comes back positive, which means

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 there is a problem with your heart, your doctor

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 will then explain to you what the next step is, and

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 how best to treat it."