Electrocardiogram (ECG)

What is an electrocardiogram (ECG)

An electrocardiogram is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart’s beats. Every heartbeat is triggered by an electrical signal that starts at the top of the heart and travels to the bottom to help coordinate contractions and keep blood flowing as it should. 

The test monitors the timing of electrical impulses as they travel through the muscle. An ECG also measures your heart rate and rhythm to help detect any issues. 

It is not invasive and doesn’t cause any pain. It is a simple routine test we will guide you through on the day of the procedure.

Suitability

We may suggest you receive an ECG if you are experiencing the following signs of a heart condition:

• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Fatigue or feeling weak
• Heart palpitations
• A feeling that your heart is beating unevenly (arrhythmia)
• High blood pressure

It can help us detect conditions such as cardiomyopathy, coronary heart disease, heart valve disease, heart structure changes, an enlarged heart, or a current or previous heart attack. 

You may also need an ECG if you’ve experienced an accident or injury to the heart or if you have other health conditions.

Preparation

Very little preparation is needed for an ECG. However, we may ask you to prepare your skin beforehand to help the electrodes stick to it more effectively.

Avoid oils and heavy moisturisers before the procedure, as these will interfere with the gel and cause the electrodes to not stick as well to the skin. Hair may also interfere with the electrodes, so we might advise you to remove chest hair beforehand.

We will ask you to undress from the waist upwards to apply the electrodes to the skin. So, we advise not wearing too many layers or anything too challenging to remove for your appointment. 

There are a few other things to consider beforehand:

• Remove any metallic objects, such as jewellery
• Avoid drinking cold water right before the test
• No exercising or increasing your heart rate before the test

We will keep the room at a moderate temperature to avoid shivering, which can interfere with the readings. If you are cold or uncomfortable on the day of the test, let us know, and we will ensure that things are altered to keep you comfortable.

Procedure

We will ask you a series of questions and walk you through what to expect before we get started to ensure you feel prepared.

We will attach 10-12 electrodes with gel to your chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes have wires connected to a machine. Once they are attached, our technician will input identifying information about you into the machine’s computer.

The test will then start. We will record your heart’s electrical activity, and the results will appear on a graph.

Once completed, we will remove the electrodes and disconnect you from the machine.

Side effects

An ECG is a simple procedure. It is painless, and no electricity is sent through your body. It is a test that monitors your body’s electrical activity.

When the electrodes are removed, it can be slightly uncomfortable, like removing a plaster. If you are allergic or reactive to the adhesive gel used, you may experience redness and slight swelling, but this is rare.

Results and aftercare

After your test, we will review your results the same day during your appointment and highlight any abnormalities we may have detected.

Some signs we may pick up include:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Electrolyte problems, chamber dilation, chamber hypertrophy, or how electricity is moving through the heart
• Heart defects, including an enlarged heart, a lack of blood flow, or birth defects
• Blocked arteries 
• Coronary artery disease

Depending on what we find, we may need to perform further tests or use other types of ECG, such as an exercise ECG, 24-hour blood pressure monitor, or an ambulatory ECG monitor, to confirm your condition thoroughly.