When an ECG is used

An ECG can be used to investigate symptoms of a possible heart problem, such as shortness of breath.

Types of ECG

We perform two types of ECG:

• a resting ECG – while you’re lying down in a comfortable position. This only takes a few minutes
• a 24 hours ECG – (or Holter monitor) is a continuous tape recording of a patient’s ECG over 24 hours.

During a resting ECG, the test involves attaching a number of small, sticky sensors called electrodes to your arms, legs and chest. These are connected by wires to an ECG recording machine.

A 24 hour ECG (or Holter monitor) is a continuous tape recording of a patient’s ECG over 24 hours. Three stickers are placed on the chest and small gadget worn on the waist like a large mobile phone. It is worn whilst the patient carries out their normal day to day activities (except bathing/showering and no vigorous exercise), helping the doctor to correlate symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations and fainting. It will also pick up heart rhythm abnormalities that are asymptomatic but may also reveal signs of ischemia (lack of blood supply to the heart).

How an ECG is carried out?

You are required to book an appointment to apply and remove a 24 hour ECG. Fitting of the monitor takes about ten minutes.

You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for the test. You can eat and drink as normal beforehand.

Before the electrodes are attached, you’ll usually need to remove your upper clothing, and sometimes your chest may need to be shaved or cleaned.

Getting your results

An ECG recording machine will usually show your heart rhythm and electrical activity as a graph printed on to paper.

Our health practitioner conducts the ECG. The recordings will have to be looked at by the GP and determine whether there are signs of a possible problem. Other tests may also need to be carried out before it’s possible to tell you whether there’s a problem.

You may need to visit the hospital, clinic or your GP a few days later to discuss your results with a doctor.