Overview
No special preparations are necessary for a standard ECG test. Medications and supplements should be considered as they can often affect the results. Avoid oily lotions or full length clothing on the day of the ECG test. An ECG test can be done in a hospital by a nurse or technician. A total of 10 electrodes with adhesive pads will be attached to the skin of your chest, arms, and legs. The ECG recording system leads to a computer creating a picture, on graph paper, of the electrical impulses that move through your heart. This is called a resting ECG, also used to check heart activity during exercise. The attaching of the electrodes and completion of the test takes about 10 minutes. Patterns formed by the ECG recording system are then interpreted and assessed for further treatment action.
The ECG records help measure the heart rate, especially in cases of a heart rate irregular enough to not be calculated manually via checking the pulse. This would include conditions like bradycardia and tachycardia. Heart rhythm irregularities, meaning various arrhythmias that imply a malfunctioning in the heart’s electrical system can be diagnosed as well. A previous heart attack or a heart attack in progress along with structural abnormalities can also be recognised by an ECG recording system.
If your ECG records are normal, no further tests may be required. If the results show any abnormalities, further diagnostic tests including another ECG test may be needed. Treatment protocol depends on the root cause of your condition and symptoms as per the ECG recording system. It’s essential to keep a routine check on the heart’s condition especially in occasion of a pre-existing heart condition.
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Before the test
- Take your usual medicines unless the doctor says otherwise, and bring a list of them.
- Wear a two-piece outfit that lets the technician reach the chest, wrists and ankles.
- Skip oily creams or lotions on the chest, arms and legs that day, because they stop the pads sticking.
- Rest for a few minutes before the test, and keep still and relaxed during it.
- Tell the technician about a pacemaker, chest pain, dizziness or hair that may need shaving for a pad to stay on.
What the report can and cannot tell you
A resting ECG records the heart's electrical activity for a short time. It can show the heart rate, an irregular rhythm, signs of a past heart attack and some structural problems. A normal ECG does not rule out blocked arteries or a future heart attack, because it is only a snapshot. If symptoms continue, the doctor may suggest a stress test, an echocardiogram or a longer rhythm recording.
What to do with the result
1. Keep the printed tracing and the report in a folder, because a doctor can compare old and new ones. 2. Take both to the doctor and ask what the findings mean for your parent in plain words. 3. Ask about the next step: repeat test, other tests, or no change. 4. Write the date on the file and check again as advised.
Home monitoring in between
Between visits, a blood pressure monitor and a note of any palpitations, dizziness or breathlessness are useful; see how to measure blood pressure at home and monitoring after a heart attack. Chest pain, fainting or sudden breathlessness needs an ambulance, not a wait for the next test.
When to ask a professional
Only a doctor can interpret an ECG. A home visit by a nurse or technician can do the recording at home for someone who finds travel hard, and our care advisors can arrange it.
Equipment mentioned in this guide
Frequently asked questions
Does an ECG hurt?
No. Sticky pads are placed on the skin and the test takes about ten minutes.
Who needs an ECG?
People with palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, breathlessness, high blood pressure, diabetes, a heart condition or a family history of heart disease, as the doctor advises.
Is a normal ECG enough to be sure the heart is fine?
Not always. It shows the heart at rest at that moment, so a doctor may ask for further tests if symptoms persist.
Can an ECG be done at home?
Yes, trained staff can do a resting ECG at home, and a doctor then reads it.
Sources and further reading
- World Health Organization, Cardiovascular diseases fact sheet
- NHS (UK), patient information on electrocardiogram tests
- American Heart Association, patient information on the electrocardiogram
Tags: ECG Test #KnowledgeECGelectrocardiogramheart testcardiac screeningConditions and devicesDigital blood pressure monitor (upper arm)Fall-detection watchHealth monitoring devicesSafety and alert devices
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Speak to your doctor before changing your exercise, diet or medicines.
