Same-Day EKG

Your Seattle Children’s healthcare provider has said that your child needs an EKG, which stands for electrocardiogram (elec-TRO-car-DEE-o-gram). This test is also called an ECG. You may be able to get the test done today. This is called a “same-day EKG.”

An EKG measures the heart's electrical activity to help test its function and identify any problems that might exist. The EKG can help determine the rate and regularity of heartbeats.

To have a same-day EKG for your child, follow these steps:

1. Go to the registration desk on Ocean 6.
2. At the registration desk, tell the Family Services Coordinator (FSC) that your child needs a “same day EKG add-on” appointment.
3. If an appointment is available, the FSC will schedule and check you in.
4. After registration, the FSC will direct you to the Heart Center waiting room on Ocean 6 until your appointment time.

There is nothing painful about getting an EKG, but the stickers may be cold. Your child will lie down, and a series of 13 small stickers (called electrodes) will be placed on their skin. These electrodes are placed in a standard pattern on the chest, the wrists, and the ankles.

After the electrodes are in place, your child will hold still while their heartbeats are recorded for a short period. The information is recorded by a machine and drawn as a graph. The graph consists of multiple waves, which reflect the activity of the heart.

After the EKG, a heart doctor (cardiologist) will read and interpret your child’s report within 3 business days. If the provider who ordered the test is from a clinic that is not part of Seattle Children’s, we do not offer same day appointments and you will need to call for an appointment.

Call the clinic that ordered the test if you do not have your results after 3 days.