You will be given an ECG if you have recently had a heart attack or have been diagnosed with heart failure. The test is safe and easy, and does not hurt.
In addition, you may be asked to come to the clinic regularly for routine check ups on your condition.
Echocardiograms are also used for newborn babies and infants.
ECG tests
Small patches are attached to your chest, with wires leading to the ECG recorder. This is to to monitor your heart rate and only takes around 5 minutes.
Exercise ECG
For an exercise ECG you will walk, or run if you wish, on the treadmill.
The exercise test will slowly become faster or have more resistance and the doctor or cardiographer will carefully check your ECG reading, blood pressure and pulse.
You will be asked to stop when sufficient measurements have been taken. Should you experience any chest pain or become very short of breath, the test will be stopped immediately.
The test normally takes around 30 minutes to complete.
What happens next
If you have been referred by your GP, your results will be sent back to your GP.
If you have come from a clinic, you will be given the results by the cardiographer. You will return to the clinic to see your consultant to discuss your results.
24-hour ECG
A 24 hour electrocardiogram (ECG) test uses a portable ECG to record your heart’s behaviour over 24 hours.
Small patches are attached to your chest, with wires leading to the ECG recorder fitted to a belt around your waist. The ECG recorder monitors your heart rate.
You will be asked to spend the next 24 hours behaving as you normally would and to keep a note of all activities you carry out, as well any times when you experience palpitations or dizzy spells.
This can help to diagnose the cause of symptoms, such as palpitations, by showing when you may be experiencing fast or slow heart rates.
After the test, you will need to return to clinic the next day to have the recorder removed.
The results will then be analysed and forwarded to your doctor. If your doctor wishes to discuss these further, you will be given an appointment to come back into clinic.
Occasionally, your doctor may arrange for you to have ECG recordings taken for anything up to 5 days.
How can I be referred into the service?
You will be referred into the service by your GP or your local hospital.
If you have come to the outpatient clinic to see a doctor, they may request that you have an ECG that day.
If you have come to have an operation of any kind, you may be given an ECG test to make sure there are no problems with your heart function.
