Mahaska Health Partnership Offers EKG’s on Campus
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – Electrocardiogram (EKG) is a medical test highly utilized in assessing how well your heart is working. MHP Director of Cardiopulmonary Services Kim Mould, RRT, explains what these tests are used for and how they benefit patients.
According to Mould, an EKG can be ordered by a provider for a number of reasons. “This test checks the electrical activity of your heart. It produces a graph that illustrates the electrical activity of the heart in waves.
“An EKG may be ordered if someone is having chest pains or pressure,” Mould continued. “You may also be sent for testing to figure out the cause of symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting or an irregular heartbeat. An EKG is also commonly used to check for heart health prior to surgery, to check for abnormal medication side effects or even to see how well medical devices such as pacemakers are performing.”
One major benefit of these tests is their non-invasive nature. “An EKG does not involve any needles, cuts or other internal components, so they are very low-risk,” Mould explained. “Several adhesive pads called electrodes are placed on top of the skin on your arms, legs and chest. You simply lie on a table while the test is being performed and the electrodes measure your heart’s activity.”
An EKG is a fairly rapid test that produces quick results. “Our test typically lasts about 10 minutes, so you’re in and out quickly,” Mould said. “We can perform them without an appointment, seven days a week from 7:00 am – 6:30 pm so you don’t have to worry about taking a lot of time off of work. Once the test is complete, your results are sent to your provider, specialist or surgeon and they can review the groupings of spikes and dips to check on your heart’s performance.”
Since EKG’s are non-invasive, they are often a first test ordered to assess heart health. “The results can help your provider determine if you may or may not have had a heart attack or may be at risk for one, so taking a provider’s recommendation for a test seriously is important,” Mould shared.
MHP’s EKG is only one of many tools in Cardiopulmonary Services. “We are lucky to be able to provide EKG’s right here on campus so local residents can complete them close to home, rather than traveling somewhere like Des Moines. Plus, we also offer cardiac rehabilitation to help get you back on the road to recovery. Our goal is to offer comprehensive care close to home, and these tools allow us to do just that.”
Kim Mould is the Director of Cardiopulmonary Services at Mahaska Health Partnership. She is a registered respiratory therapist and has extensive years of experience in patient care and management. In her spare time, Kim enjoys exercise, trying new restaurants and participating in a variety of sports. For more information regarding Cardiopulmonary Services at MHP, call 641.672.2340.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit mahaskahealth.org.
