Heart Health
Tracing the heart’s electrical signature
Some primary care providers include an ECG as part of an annual physical exam. Last year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against routine ECGs in people at low risk of heart disease. But what about people at higher risk, such as those with high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, or even just advancing age? For them, the jury's still out, according to the USPSTF. One possible reason: the task force set a high bar — looking for conclusive proof that a routine ECG led directly to an improvement in outcomes, such as complications related to coronary artery blockages.
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