If you've had any minor heart issues and have chosen to visit a local urgent care facility, one of the first things that you'll likely experience is getting hooked up to an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine. In just a short amount of time, a medical professional can use this test to assess how your heart is working, which can influence how the urgent care center handles you. For example, you might simply be sent home with a recommendation to reduce your stress, or you may be sent to a local hospital for further monitoring. If you've never experienced an EKG test in the past, here are three things to know about it.
It Doesn't Hurt
When a nurse has you remove your shirt so that he or she can begin to stick sensors to your chest, you might begin to experience a little anxiety. One of the first things that you need to know is that an EKG test doesn't hurt at all—these sensors are simply on your body to read details about your heart. If you're already anxious and your imagination is running wild, you might wonder if they're going to transmit an electric current. Fortunately, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to that.
You May Need A Quick Shave
The sensors that are attached to the EKG machine need to stick cleanly to your chest and torso in order to get a proper reading. If you're someone who has a significant amount of chest hair, it may interfere with the proper placement of these sensors. Don't be surprised if a nurse assesses the look of your torso and then quickly returns with a razor to inform you that he or she will need to shave some areas bare. The shaving process will be quick and easy, so you have nothing to worry about.
You Should Try To Relax
It's very easy to give the EKG machine a false reading if you're nervous. For example, if your heart is beating at a rapid rate, the machine will register this information—and your medical professional could mistakenly believe that you have a problem with your heart. Your nurse will tell you to relax, and this is advice that you should heed. It's understandable if you feel a little nervous in this new environment and upon being hooked up to a machine, but try to lie still and breathe deeply. If you've visited urgent care with a family member who has a calming presence, have him or her stand beside you to help you calm down.
For more information, visit an urgent care center, such as the Walk-In Family Medicine Center.
Share10 April 2019
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