An ECG (electrocardiogram) is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart, including the rate and rhythm. It’s usually quick and painless.
There are a number of reasons why an ECG might be recommended, if you have been having chest pains, palpitations, an unusually fast or slow heart rate or have been feeling dizzy or short of breath. Some medications also require an ECG be undertaken before they can be started or continued.
ECGs can be undertaken at the Practice by our nursing team. Here’s what to expect on the day.
- You’ll be asked to take off the clothes on the top half of your body, behind a screen.
- You’ll be asked you to lie back and the healthcare professional will attach sticky patches (called electrodes) on your arms, legs and chest. These are attached to the ECG machine.
- You’ll need to lie still for a few minutes while the ECG machine records the electrical signals that are created when your heart beats.
- The healthcare professional will remove the sticky patches from your skin. You might feel some slight discomfort when the patches are taken off your skin, a bit like when you take off a plaster.
The ECG gives a real time result, if there are any concerns, then one of our clinical team will review your ECG result before you go home.