An ECG (electrocardiogram) is a quick, painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart.

Every time your heart beats, it produces a small electrical signal that tells the heart muscle when to contract. An ECG captures these signals and turns them into a visual tracing that can help identify patterns in your heart rhythm.

Healthcare providers commonly use ECGs to:

• check if the heart rhythm is regular
• detect signs of previous heart strain or injury
• identify patterns that may require further evaluation.

What happens during the test?

Small adhesive sensors called electrodes are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. These sensors connect to a machine that records the electrical signals from your heart.

The test is painless and usually takes less than 10 minutes.

A CIMT (Carotid Intima-Media Thickness) ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging test that measures the thickness of the inner layers of the carotid arteries in your neck.

These arteries supply blood to the brain, and changes in their thickness can sometimes indicate early stages of cardiovascular disease.

Unlike traditional tests that look for major blockages, CIMT scans can sometimes detect very early changes in artery walls before symptoms appear.

Why is it useful?

A CIMT scan may help:

• identify early signs of plaque buildup
• provide additional insight into cardiovascular risk
• monitor how lifestyle changes or medical treatments affect artery health.

What to expect during the test

The test is simple and comfortable.

• No needles or radiation
• No special preparation required
• Takes about 10–15 minutes

A small amount of gel is placed on the neck and a handheld ultrasound probe is moved gently over the area to capture images of the arteries.

When a comprehensive screening is performed, time is also spent reviewing key aspects of your cardiovascular health history.

This may include discussion about:

• personal symptoms or concerns
• family history of heart disease
• lifestyle factors that can influence heart health
• previous testing or diagnoses.

The goal is to provide context for the screening results and help identify whether further medical evaluation may be helpful.

Most ECG screenings take about 5–10 minutes. If additional screening such as CIMT ultrasound is included, the total time is usually 15–20 minutes.

No referral is required to participate in a StrongHER Hearts screening or educational event.

However, any findings that require medical evaluation should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

Screenings are conducted by trained instructors with experience in emergency medical care and cardiovascular screening equipment.

Many women attend simply to gain a better understanding of their heart health.

Screenings may be especially helpful for women who:

• have a family history of cardiovascular disease
• have experienced unexplained symptoms
• want to establish a baseline for their heart health.

StrongHER Hearts screenings are community-based educational services and are typically not covered by insurance plans, including Alberta Health. Check with your employer as some Health Spending plans allow for coverage.

If a screening identifies a pattern or finding that may require further evaluation, you will be encouraged to follow up with your family physician or a cardiology specialist.

Participants receive copies of their screening data, which can be shared with their healthcare provider for further review.

Many women find that the screening simply provides reassurance. In other cases, it may help guide a conversation with a doctor about additional testing or follow-up.

ECG and CIMT screenings are valuable tools for gathering information about your cardiovascular health. However, it is important to understand that these tests do not provide a formal medical diagnosis.

During a StrongHER Hearts screening, the focus is on collecting accurate physiological data that can help identify patterns or findings that may benefit from further medical review.

Key points to remember

• These screenings provide information, not a diagnosis
• A licensed physician must make any formal medical diagnosis
• Results can be shared with your family doctor or cardiologist for full evaluation.

If a screening identifies something that may require further attention, participants are encouraged to follow up with their healthcare provider.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or other signs of a medical emergency, please call 911 or seek immediate medical care.