EKGs are often taken on cardiac patients to demonstrate the electrical conduction system of the heart. EKGs can help to evaluate cardiac patient's condition by detecting changes in the rhythm pattern. A medical assistant will place 10 electrodes on the patient's chest. A rhythm strip is then recorded. This takes no more than a few minutes.

Blood pressure is the force created as your heart pumps nutrient rich blood into your blood vessels. Blood pressure rises as the force on the blood vessels increases. When the force stays above a certain level, it is considered high blood pressure. This can occur when the vessels become too narrow. When blood pressure becomes too high the heart is forced to work harder than it normally would.

To avoid high blood pressure, stop smoking, loose excess weight, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and take prescribed medicine.

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