The test is completely non-invasive, involves no radiation or injections, and provides accurate information about your heart’s rhythm and function.
ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a quick, simple, and completely painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart. Each heartbeat is driven by a small electrical signal travelling through the heart muscle. The ECG captures these signals to show how fast your heart is beating, whether your rhythm is regular or irregular, and whether there are any signs of strain or damage to the heart.
Why is it performed?
An ECG is often one of the first investigations used to assess heart health. It helps detect irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), evidence of a current or past heart attack, and other conditions that may explain symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or fainting.
Your cardiologist may recommend an ECG if you are experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness, or fainting, or as part of a routine cardiac assessment before surgery or starting new medication.
Because the test is quick, safe, and non-invasive, it is often the first step in evaluating heart health, guiding your doctor on whether further investigations — such as an echocardiogram or stress test — are required.
What does the test involve?
During the test, small adhesive pads (called electrodes) are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. These are connected to the ECG machine, which records your heart’s electrical activity as a series of lines or waves on a screen or printout.
The procedure is entirely painless, takes around 5 to 10 minutes, and you can breathe normally throughout.
- Preparation & Positioning
Small adhesive pads are placed on your chest, arms, and legs to record your heart’s electrical signals.
- During the Scan:
The ECG machine measures your heart’s activity as lines or waves. The process is painless, takes around 5–10 minutes, and you can breathe normally throughout.
- Safety & Comfort:
After the test
You can resume your usual activities immediately after the ECG — whether that’s going home or returning to work.
Your results will be carefully reviewed by your cardiologist, either the same day or at your follow-up appointment. The ECG provides valuable insights into your heart’s rhythm and function, helping your doctor decide whether further tests or treatment may be needed.
