How long do ecg take

They may also recommend an ECG if a person is experiencing symptoms such as:. ECGs are often performed to monitor the health of people who have been diagnosed with heart problems, to help assess artificial cardiac pacemakers or to monitor the effects of certain medications on the heart. There is no need to restrict food or drink before having an ECG test.

Always let your doctor know what medications you are taking before you have an ECG, and if you have any allergies to adhesive tapes that may be used to attach electrodes. When you go for an ECG test, you will need to remove your upper clothing so that electrodes can be attached to your chest and limbs.

Underwire in a bra can interfere with the ECG reading — you may be asked to remove it before the test. An ECG works best when the skin is clean and dry, and free of oils and lotions. The selected sites are shaved if necessary because hair prevents the electrodes from making proper contact with the skin. Electrodes sensors are attached to the chest, arms and legs or sticky gel.

These electrodes detect the electrical currents generated by the heart — these are measured and recorded by the electrocardiograph. When the procedure is completed, the electrodes are removed. An ECG is completely painless and non-invasive, as the skin is not penetrated.

The doctor can interpret the results of your ECG straight away based on your medical history, symptoms and clinical examination. The ECG is a safe procedure with no known risks. It does not send electric current to the body. Some people may be allergic or sensitive to the electrodes, which can cause local skin reddening.

After an ECG you can resume normal activities immediately. A person with heart disease may have a normal ECG result if the condition does not cause a disturbance in the electrical activity of the heart. Other diagnostic methods may be recommended if heart disease is suspected. Talk to your doctor about the right treatment for your heart condition and how to self-manage in the community.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. You may experience very minor skin discomfort when the electrodes are removed. If your ECG results are normal, your doctor will tell you if you need any further testing. If there were irregularities detected, you may need more tests or treatments. Your doctor will work out an appropriate plan to help manage your symptoms.

We need your feedback in order to improve the quality of our service. Please take a few minutes to fill our survey Participate. Contact Us. It provides information about your heart rate and rhythm, and shows if there is enlargement of the heart due to high blood pressure hypertension or evidence of a previous heart attack myocardial infarction. However, it does not show whether you have asymptomatic blockages in your heart arteries or predict your risk of a future heart attack.

You may need an ECG test if you have risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, or symptoms such as palpitations or chest pain. Or you may need it if you already have heart disease.

But in other cases, you may think twice about having this test. The test is not useful in routine checkups for people who do not have risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure or symptoms of heart disease, like chest pain. Yet, many people with no risk factors or symptoms have an ECG as part of their routine checkups.

There are better ways to prevent heart disease than routine ECGs. The ECG will not harm you. However, it can sometimes show mild nonspecific abnormalities that are not due to underlying heart disease, but cause worry and lead to follow-up tests and treatments that you do not need.

In some cases, it can be important to get this test.