ECG & heart health testing.

Recording the heart’s electrical activity to assess rhythm and detect cardiac problems — quick, painless and non-invasive.

What an ECG records

An electrocardiogram records the electrical signals that make your heart beat. From that trace, a clinician can assess rate and rhythm and look for patterns that suggest arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, previous or current heart attack, enlargement of the heart muscle and other cardiac conditions.

Tests available

• Resting ECG — the standard recording, taken while you lie still.
• Exercise stress test — recorded while the heart works harder, to reveal changes that only appear under exertion.
• 24-hour Holter monitoring — a portable recorder worn through a normal day, useful when symptoms come and go.
• Heart rate & rhythm analysis — interpretation of the recorded trace.

Why Holter monitoring is sometimes needed

A resting ECG captures a short window. If your symptoms — palpitations, dizziness, irregular beats — are intermittent, they may simply not occur during those minutes. Wearing a monitor across a full day greatly improves the chance of catching the event.

How to prepare

A resting ECG needs almost no preparation. Avoid applying oils or lotion to your chest that day, as electrodes need clean skin to make good contact. Wear a top that is easy to remove or open.

For an exercise stress test, wear clothing and shoes you can walk comfortably in, and ask us when you book whether to adjust the timing of any medication or meals.

During the test

• Small adhesive electrodes are placed on your chest, arms and legs.
• Some chest hair may need trimming so the electrodes stick properly.
• You lie still and breathe normally while the trace is recorded.
• Nothing passes into your body — the machine only listens. It is painless.
• Electrodes are removed afterwards and you can carry on as normal.

Common questions