Pediatric EKG & ECG Testing

Children’s Medical Center offers convenient in house EKG and ECG testing for children and adolescents, providing families with access to important heart screenings through a pediatric practice they already know and trust.

An electrocardiogram, commonly called an EKG or ECG, is a quick, noninvasive test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. It can provide valuable information about your child’s heart rate and rhythm and help identify certain abnormalities that may require further evaluation.

Our pediatric team can help determine when an EKG may be appropriate for your child and guide your family through any necessary next steps.

What Is an EKG or ECG?

An electrocardiogram records the electrical signals that control your child’s heartbeat. Small adhesive electrodes are placed on the chest and other areas of the body to measure these signals.

The test is painless, does not send electricity into the body, and typically takes only a short amount of time to complete.

An EKG may help healthcare providers identify abnormal heart rhythms or other patterns that could indicate the need for additional cardiac evaluation.

Why Might My Child Need an EKG?

A pediatric healthcare provider may recommend an EKG for several reasons depending on your child’s health history, symptoms, physical examination, or athletic participation.

EKG testing may be considered for children or adolescents with:

• Concerns about an irregular or unusually fast or slow heartbeat
  • Fainting or unexplained episodes of dizziness
  • Chest pain or other concerning symptoms
  • A family history of certain heart conditions or sudden cardiac events
  • Findings during a physical examination that require further evaluation
  • A need for cardiac screening related to participation in competitive sports

An EKG is one tool used to evaluate heart health. Depending on the results and your child’s individual circumstances, additional evaluation by a specialist may be recommended.

EKG Screening for Florida Student Athletes

Beginning with the 2026 to 2027 school year, Florida has new EKG screening requirements for certain students participating in interscholastic athletics.

Under current Florida High School Athletic Association requirements, EKG screening is required for:

• All incoming 9th grade student athletes
• Students in grades 10 through 12 who have not previously participated in an FHSAA sanctioned sport

Returning student athletes who have previously participated in an FHSAA sanctioned sport are not currently required to complete a new screening under the initial implementation, although EKG screening is strongly encouraged.

An EKG performed on or after July 1, 2024 may satisfy the requirement, subject to applicable FHSAA documentation and eligibility requirements. Families should confirm current requirements and required forms with their school or the Florida High School Athletic Association.

View Current FHSAA ECG Screening Information

Why Is Heart Screening Important for Young Athletes?

Young athletes can sometimes have underlying heart conditions without obvious symptoms.

Because competitive sports place increased demands on the cardiovascular system, identifying potential concerns before athletic participation can help determine whether further medical evaluation is needed.

An EKG can provide additional information about the heart’s electrical activity that may not be identified through a routine physical examination alone.

If an EKG identifies an abnormality, additional medical evaluation may be necessary before a student is cleared to participate in athletics.

What Should My Child Expect During an EKG?

An EKG is a quick and noninvasive test that requires little preparation.

During the test:

• Your child will lie comfortably while small adhesive electrodes are placed on the skin.
• The electrodes connect to the EKG machine and record the electrical activity of the heart.
• Your child will need to remain still briefly while the recording is completed.
• The test does not involve needles and does not deliver electricity or shocks to the body.

After testing, your healthcare provider can discuss the results and whether any additional evaluation or follow up is recommended.

Convenient In House EKG Testing

Children’s Medical Center is proud to offer EKG testing in house, making it easier for families to access heart screening as part of their child’s pediatric care.

For student athletes, families can speak with our team about EKG screening requirements and whether their child needs testing before participating in school sports.

Having testing available through your pediatric practice also allows your child’s healthcare team to consider the results alongside their medical history, family history, physical examination, and overall health.

Schedule Pediatric EKG Testing

If your child needs an EKG, is preparing to participate in school athletics, or you have questions about whether heart screening may be appropriate, Children’s Medical Center is here to help.

Contact our office to learn more about pediatric EKG and ECG testing or to schedule an appointment.