Walk-In ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a non-invasive procedure that records the electrical activity of the heart at rest. Electrodes are placed on the skin to measure heartbeat regularity. The information gathered can be used to assess heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure (hypertension), and symptoms such as chest pain (angina), palpitations, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
At Insight Medical Imaging, walk-in ECG testing is available at select Edmonton-area clinics on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments are not required.
If daytime availability is difficult, some locations offer evening and weekend hours for added convenience.
Please Bring To Your Exam:
- Your doctor’s requisition
- Alberta Health Care card
- Government-issued photo ID
You may also submit your requisition online in advance using our secure upload form.
Why Would I Need an ECG?
Your doctor may recommend cardiac testing to evaluate how well your heart is functioning and to identify possible abnormalities affecting rhythm or electrical activity.
An ECG records how fast or slow your heart is beating, the steady or irregular rhythm of your heartbeats, and the strength & timing of the electrical impulses as it moves through different sections of the heart. Additionally, the amount of electrical activity passing through the heart during an exam can indicate whether parts of the heart are too large or are overworked and help diagnose heart-related conditions.
In particular, an electrocardiogram exam will allow your doctor to:
- Analyze your heart rhythm
- Diagnose potential problems, such as a heart attack
- Ascertain if you have poor blood flow to your heart
- Discover any abnormalities
- Detect any deficiencies or surplus of electrolytes such as potassium or calcium
An ECG is often one of the first diagnostic tools used when investigating cardiovascular symptoms because the procedure is fast, painless, and widely available.
You may be referred for testing if you:
- Experience chest pain or heart palpitations
- Are preparing for surgery
- Have a history of heart disease
- Have a family history of cardiac conditions
How to Prepare For an ECG Heart Examination
Like with all our examinations, all of our exam preparation steps can be found by visiting the “Exam Prep” page of our website.
As ECGs are fairly simple and painless, there is no special preparation required for our walk-in services. However, if you suspect that you may be developing a heart condition, then we recommend for the best results that you:
- Ask your doctor if you need to have a meal plan before the test — some patients may be encouraged to have a light breakfast before their exam
- Refrain from smoking for at least 4 hours before your exam
- Come to your appointment in light, comfortable clothing. You may be asked to remove any jewelry before our technologist(s) start the examination
- Inform your doctor and our staff of all the medication and natural health products you are currently taking as some products may influence the results of the exam
ECG vs. EKG vs. Electrocardiogram: What’s the Difference?
Researching ECG imaging can be confusing and frustrating, as multiple abbreviations are used interchangeably with no explanation. While ECG spelling variations may imply various unique exams, all three terms are synonymous and refer to the same cardiac assessment.
The difference in electrocardiogram abbreviations stems from language translations between German and English. The German language spells electrocardiogram as elektro-kariographie, hence the acronym EKG rather than ECG.
Electrocardiogram(ECG) vs. Echocardiogram
Insight Medical Imaging offers multiple types of scans to examine the heart, including electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiograms. ECG and echocardiograms are often confused because they have similar spelling and are often used in conjunction as they are complementary for cardiac assessments. However, each exam provides your doctor and our cardiologists and radiologists with different information, so it is important to understand the differences.
Electrocardiogram(ECG), record the electrical activity of your heart at rest using a heartbeat monitor. The ECG monitor records the rhythm of the heartbeat, and our internal medicine specialist analyzes the pattern for inconsistencies.
Echocardiograms provide images of internal structures and how the blood flows through the heart. This exam is done by ultrasound, which uses high-frequency sound waves to investigate the communication and function of your heart’s anatomy, such as valves, vesicles, and atriums.
What Happens During my ECG Exam?
- After you’ve checked in for your exam, a technologist will give you a gown to change into
- Our electrocardiogram technologist will help position you on a bed, where you will lie flat on your back
- You will have six leads placed on your chest, plus one on each arm and leg. We attach the leads as discretely as possible for your comfort
- If there is a large amount of chest hair, we may need to shave the applicable areas or come pre-shaved.
- Occasionally, men will opt to take their shirt off instead of changing into a gown for their exam, based on their comfort level
- The test will take approximately 15 minutes to complete, however, the exam length can vary based on each patient
- One of our internal medicine specialists will review the results and send a detailed report to your doctor. We try our best to send the results as soon as possible, usually within one business day
Are there any risks for an ECG exam?
This test is safe, painless, and non-invasive. The electrodes only record your heart’s natural electrical signals, no electricity enters the body during the procedure.
Some patients may experience mild skin irritation when the adhesive electrodes are removed.
Important Notes
- Please save your questions until the end, as talking during a procedure can change your heart rate and impact your exam results
- Sometimes we may need to shave or clean the patient’s chest so the electrodes can be attached properly
- If you have an Alberta Health Care card or valid healthcare card from out of province, there is no cost for this procedure (except Quebec)
ECG Services are Available
at These Locations
FAQ
Although ECG exams are non-invasive and risk-free, it is recommended that you avoid drinking excessive amounts of cold water or exercising directly before your exam. The cold water can cause alterations in the electrical patterns of your heart and exercise can increase your heart rate, both of which can affect your test results. If you have ingested excessive amounts of cold water or exercised directly before your exam, talk to your technologist prior to receiving your exam. If you have any other reasons why an ECG exam cannot be performed, let your technologist know immediately.
Insight Medical Imaging offers ECG exams on a walk-in basis and is first-come, first-serve. Visit an ECG clinic that has extended hours in the evenings or over the weekend if you are unable to take time off work during the day.
Although receiving your results of your ECG, or electrocardiogram, can rely on a number of factors, we try our best to send the results as soon as possible, usually within one business day. One of our internal medicine specialists will review your results and send a detailed report to your doctor. If you have any questions regarding the process of receiving your results, contact us today.
Before you arrive for your walk-in exam, be sure that you avoid using any lotions or creams that could potentially keep the electrodes from making contact with your skin as they may affect the reading. Furthermore, be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing that can be easily adjusted to provide access to the places the electrodes will be placed. Namely, the arms, legs, and chest. You should also avoid wearing any hosiery or tights that may interfere with placing the electrodes directly on your legs.
An electrocardiogram, or ECG, can help detect the following heart conditions:
- Arrhythmia: where the heart beats too fast, too slow, or in an irregular rhythm
- Coronary heart disease: where the heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by the build-up of fatty substances or plaque
- Heart attacks: where the flow of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked
- Cardiomyopathy: where the heart muscles become thickened or enlarged, making it harder for your heart to circulate blood to the rest of your body
ECG Exam Preparation
Learn more about your exam preparation and find the clinic most convenient for you. If daytime availability is difficult, some locations offer evening and weekend hours for added convenience.