Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Whenan ECG is used
An ECG is often used alongside other tests to help diagnose and monitor conditions affecting the heart.
It can be used to investigate symptoms of a possible heart problem, such as chest pain, suddenly noticeable heartbeats (palpitations), dizziness and shortness of breath.
AnECG can help detect:
- arrhythmiaswhere the heart beatstoo slowly, too quickly, or irregularly
- coronary heart diseasewhere the heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances
- heart attacks where the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked
- cardiomyopathywhere the heart walls become thickened or enlarged
A series of ECGs can also be taken over time to monitor a person already diagnosed with a heart condition or taking medication known to potentially affect the heart.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about electrocardiograms (ECGs), including why they're done, what happens and what the potential risks are.
Whenan ECG is used
An ECG is often used alongside other tests to help diagnose and monitor conditions affecting the heart.It can be used to investigate symptoms of a possible heart problem, such as chest pain, suddenly
Howan ECG iscarried out
There are several different ways an ECG can be carried out. Generally, the testinvolves attaching a number of small, stickysensors called electrodes to your arms, legs and chest. These are connected b
Types of ECG
There are three main types of ECG: a resting ECGcarried outwhile you're lying down in a comfortable position a stress or exercise ECGcarried outwhile you're using an exercise bike or treadmill an am
Getting your results
An ECG recording machine will usually show your heart rhythm and electrical activity as a graph displayed electronically or printed on to paper. For an ambulatory ECG, the ECG machine will store the i
Are there any risks or side effects?
An ECG is a quick, safe andpainless test. No electricity is put into your body while it's carried out.There may be someslight discomfort when the electrodes are removed from your skin similar to remov
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