Screening for Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disturbances)
Condition InDepth
The purpose of screening is to find and treat diseases early. They are given to people who may be at high risk, but who don’t have problems.
Screening Guidelines
There are no screening guidelines for arrhythmias. But, you should have a routine health exam if you're over 50 years old. This will involve checking the health of your heart and its structures.
An EKG records the heart’s electrical activity. It measures how the current moves through the heart muscle. Heart rhythm problems and places where the heart may be damaged can be seen.
References
- Arrhythmia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/arrhythmia. Accessed January 3, 2019.
- Atrial fibrillation screening. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T921740/Atrial-fibrillation-screening. Updated September 18, 2018. Accessed January 3, 2019.
- Heart-health screenings. American Heart Association website. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/heart-health-screenings. Accessed January 3, 2019.
Contributors
- Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC
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