Basic overview

• An ECG machine is a device that measures the intrinsic electrical activity of your heart.
• It is performed by placing electrodes (stickers) on the outside of your chest that are connected to a computer.

Indications for the test

• Assessment for underlying heart rhythm disturbances (heart-block) or sometimes genetic (inherited) conditions
• It is painless, completely safe and takes around 5 minutes.

What to expect

• The test is completely painless.
• You will be asked to remove the clothes from your chest and large pieces of jewellery. You will lie on a bed and have ten electrodes (stickers) placed on your arms, legs and chest.
• A 10-second electrical tracing will then be recorded.