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EKGs for Sports Physical

EKG for Sports Physical in Winter Park, FL

At Kidswood Pediatrics, our board certified pediatrician, Dr. Zully Ambroise, M.D., and her dedicated team provide EKG testing as part of comprehensive sports physicals to ensure your child’s heart is healthy before participating in athletic activities. An EKG (electrocardiogram) checks the heart’s rhythm and electrical activity, helping detect any underlying heart conditions that may not show symptoms. This added screening is especially important for young athletes engaging in competitive sports, offering parents peace of mind and ensuring a safe start to the season. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 1680 Lee Rd, Winter Park, FL 32789.

EKGs for Sports Physical at Kidswood Pediatrics in Winter Park, FL
EKGs for Sports Physical at Kidswood Pediatrics in Winter Park, FL

Table of Contents:

What is an EKG, and why is it done during a sports physical?
How is an EKG performed during a sports physical?
What does an EKG check for in an athlete?
How long does an EKG take during a sports physical?

What is an EKG, and why is it done during a sports physical?


We prioritize the health and safety of your child by providing comprehensive care tailored specifically for children and adolescents. One important diagnostic tool we offer is the electrocardiogram, commonly known as an EKG or ECG. This non-invasive test allows our pediatric specialists to measure the electrical activity of your child’s heart, recording its rhythm, strength, and timing.

Young athletes may have underlying heart conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, or congenital heart defects, that often go undetected because symptoms can be subtle or absent. By including an EKG as part of your child’s sports physical, our pediatricians can identify potential heart issues early, allowing for prompt evaluation, targeted treatments, or individualized activity recommendations to ensure your child’s safety and reduce the risk of sudden cardiac events during sports and physical activities.

During a sports physical, it helps detect any hidden heart abnormalities that could pose risks during physical exertion. Including an EKG adds an extra layer of safety, ensuring your child is healthy and ready to participate in sports confidently.

How is an EKG performed during a sports physical?


An electrocardiogram, commonly known as an EKG or ECG, is a safe, painless, and non-invasive test we offer to monitor your child’s heart health. At our practice, we often include an EKG as part of routine sports physicals and annual wellness exams, particularly for children and adolescents who participate in sports or physical activities.

During an EKG, your child will comfortably lie down on an examination table in a relaxed setting. Our friendly and experienced medical team will then carefully place small adhesive electrodes on specific points of your child’s chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes gently capture the electrical signals produced by your child’s heart as it beats, allowing us to assess heart rhythm and detect any potential issues.

Once the electrodes are placed, your child will simply relax and breathe normally for a short period, usually just a few seconds to a minute, as the EKG machine records the heart’s electrical activity. The results are displayed clearly on a digital screen or printed out for our pediatricians to review and evaluate. After completing the test, the electrodes are removed gently, and your child can immediately return to their normal routine without any discomfort or downtime.

This quick and easy screening is valuable in identifying possible heart rhythm irregularities or structural conditions early, ensuring the safety and well-being of your child as they engage in sports, activities, or everyday play. At Kidswood Pediatrics, your child’s heart health and overall wellness are our top priority.

What does an EKG check for in an athlete?


An electrocardiogram, commonly known as an EKG or ECG, is a vital diagnostic tool regularly utilized at Kidswood Pediatrics to assess the cardiac health of young athletes and active children. Our pediatric specialists understand the unique cardiovascular needs and challenges faced by active kids and adolescents involved in sports. An EKG evaluates the heart’s electrical activity, enabling early detection of conditions that could impact a child’s safety during physical activity.

Specifically, an EKG screening in our pediatric practice can identify structural heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease characterized by thickened heart muscle tissue, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, a disorder affecting the heart’s rhythm and structure. Additionally, it can detect electrical conduction abnormalities, such as Wolff Parkinson White syndrome, which may predispose young athletes and active children to potentially dangerous heart rhythms.

Moreover, an EKG evaluates a child’s heart rate and rhythm, screening for arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or premature ventricular contractions, which could impact a child’s athletic performance or pose health risks during physical exertion. It also identifies prolonged QT intervals or abnormal ST-segment and T-wave changes that might indicate underlying cardiac disorders or electrolyte imbalances.

It’s important to recognize that active children and adolescents may present with certain EKG findings reflecting normal physiological adaptations to regular exercise, such as sinus bradycardia (a slower than average resting heart rate) or mild voltage changes associated with athletic cardiac remodeling. At Kidswood Pediatrics, our healthcare providers are specially trained to differentiate between normal adaptations and abnormal findings, ensuring accurate interpretation of pediatric EKGs. Our team’s expertise and pediatric focused approach guarantee careful evaluation, precise diagnosis, and effective management, safeguarding your child’s heart health and overall well-being during sports and physical activities.

How long does an EKG take during a sports physical?


An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) performed as part of your child’s sports physical is a quick, painless, and straightforward procedure. The EKG process takes only about 5 to 10 minutes. Our pediatric medical staff will place small electrodes on your child’s chest, arms, and legs to comfortably record the electrical activity of the heart. The actual recording itself takes only a few seconds to a minute, with most of the short procedure time dedicated to gently placing and positioning the electrodes.

Once completed, our pediatrician will promptly review the EKG results and discuss them with you. In some cases, additional evaluation might be recommended. At Kidswood Pediatrics, our goal is to ensure your child’s heart health is thoroughly assessed, helping to keep them safe, active, and ready to participate in the sports they love. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 1680 Lee Rd, Winter Park, FL 32789. We serve patients from Winter Park FL, Goldenrod FL, Lockhart FL, Maitland FL, Bertha FL, and Slavia FL.