Routine labs can help screen for common health concerns, monitor chronic conditions, and check medication safety. But not every adult needs the same labs at the same interval. How often you need lab work depends on your age, medical history, medications, symptoms, family history, and risk factors. There is no one-size-fits-all schedule Some healthy adults may only need periodic screening labs. Others may need labs every few months because of chronic conditions or medications.

An EKG, also called an ECG or electrocardiogram, is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It is commonly used to evaluate heart rhythm, heart rate, and certain signs of heart strain or injury. An EKG can be very helpful, but it does not tell everything about the heart. What does an EKG show? An EKG can show: Heart rate Whether the rhythm is regular or irregular Electrical signal patterns Certain rhythm abnormalities Possible signs of a current or prior hea