Skip to main content
Cardiolucent

Procedure

EKG

Diagnostics & Exams

An electrocardiogram (EKG, sometimes ECG) is a quick, painless recording of your heart's electrical activity. Ten small adhesive patches are placed on the chest, arms, and legs to capture the electrical signal from twelve different angles — known as a 12-lead EKG. The tracing reveals heart rhythm and rate, detects rhythm disturbances such as atrial fibrillation, identifies conduction blocks, shows signs of inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle, and uncovers evidence of a prior heart attack. It is one of the foundational tests in cardiology and is routinely part of every comprehensive new-patient evaluation at Cardiolucent.

What's Included

  • 12-lead electrocardiogram with immediate results
  • Heart rhythm and rate assessment
  • Detection of conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias
  • Evaluation for signs of ischemia or prior myocardial infarction
  • Chamber-enlargement and electrolyte-pattern review
  • Side-by-side comparison with any prior EKGs
  • Immediate interpretation and discussion with Dr. Kedan

How It's Performed

The EKG is performed in our Beverly Hills office. You lie comfortably on the exam table while ten adhesive electrodes are placed on the chest, arms, and legs. The recording itself takes about 10 seconds, and the entire process — including electrode placement and removal — is usually finished in under 5 minutes. The EKG only listens to your heart's electrical signal; it doesn't deliver any current or energy.

How to Prepare

  • No special preparation is required — eat, drink, and take medications as usual.
  • Wear something that's easy to open or remove at the top.
  • Avoid lotions or oils on the chest the morning of the visit (they interfere with electrode adhesion).
  • Bring any prior EKG tracings for comparison.
  • Mention any sensitive-skin or adhesive allergy beforehand.

What to Expect After

There is no recovery — the EKG is over in moments and you continue immediately with the rest of your visit. The tracing prints out within seconds, and Dr. Kedan reviews it with you in the same visit, comparing it to any prior EKGs to track changes over time. The most common minor inconvenience is brief skin redness at the electrode sites in patients with sensitive skin, which resolves within minutes.

Indications

  • Baseline assessment at an initial cardiology consultation
  • Evaluation of chest discomfort, palpitations, or breathlessness
  • Dizziness, fainting, or near-fainting episodes
  • Screening before starting certain cardiac medications
  • Preoperative cardiac evaluation
  • Surveillance of known arrhythmia, conduction disease, or prior MI
  • Workup of unexplained fatigue or decline in exercise tolerance

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an EKG and how does it work?
An electrocardiogram (EKG, sometimes ECG) is a quick recording of your heart's electrical activity. Ten small adhesive patches are placed on the chest, arms, and legs, and they capture the electrical signal from twelve different angles — known as a 12-lead EKG. The result is a detailed snapshot of your heart's rhythm, rate, and conduction at that exact moment.
Why would I need an EKG?
An EKG is one of the foundational tests in cardiology. It's used to evaluate chest discomfort, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, breathlessness, and unexplained fatigue. It's also performed as a baseline at an initial consultation, before starting certain medications, before surgery, and to check for prior silent heart damage. At Cardiolucent, an EKG is routinely part of a comprehensive new-patient evaluation.
How do I prepare for an EKG?
There's no special preparation. Eat, drink, and take your medications as usual. Wear something that's easy to remove or open at the top so the electrodes can be placed on the chest. The test is over so quickly that no recovery or downtime is needed.
Is the test painful?
No. The EKG only listens to your heart's electrical signal — it doesn't deliver any current or energy. You'll feel the electrodes being applied and removed, but the recording itself is silent and entirely painless.
How long does the EKG take?
The recording itself takes about 10 seconds. Including electrode placement and removal, the whole process is usually finished in under 5 minutes.
What can an EKG detect?
An EKG can identify rhythm disturbances (such as atrial fibrillation), conduction blocks, signs of inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle, evidence of a prior heart attack, chamber enlargement, and electrolyte-driven changes. It's a remarkably high-value test for how quick and simple it is to perform.
What are the limitations of an EKG?
Because it captures only 10 seconds, it can miss intermittent arrhythmias that aren't happening during the recording. It also can't show structural problems like valve disease or pumping function — those require imaging. When the question is rhythm-based and intermittent, Dr. Kedan will often pair the EKG with an extended ambulatory monitor; when the question is structural, he'll pair it with POCUS or a full echocardiogram.
When will I get the results?
Immediately. The tracing prints out within seconds, and Dr. Kedan reviews it with you during the same visit — comparing it to any prior EKGs you have available to track changes over time.
Are there any risks?
None. The EKG is passive — it only listens. The most common minor inconvenience is brief skin redness at the electrode sites in patients with sensitive skin.
Is the EKG covered by insurance?
Cardiolucent does not accept Medicare or insurance and bills patients directly. We provide a detailed superbill that you can submit to your insurance carrier for out-of-network reimbursement. To schedule a comprehensive cardiac evaluation that includes EKG, POCUS, and a full consultation, call (310) 304-5555.

Explore

Related Procedures

Ready to learn more about EKG?

Schedule a private consultation with Dr. Kedan in Beverly Hills.
Schedule an Appointment

Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.