An ECG is a test which records electrical activity of the heart.
The ECG can provide your Doctor with invaluable information on the electrical rhythm of the heart, its electrical conduction, muscle mass, presence of arrhythmia, ischaemia or infarction and even electrical disturbance and drug effects.
Preparation
No special preparation is required for this test.
Ideally a two piece outfit should be worn to allow the cardiac technician to access the chest easily.
Please bring your referral and Medicare, Pension and/or Health Care cards to your appointment.
What happens during the test
- You will be connected to an ECG machine by multiple electrodes over your chest, arms and legs and a graph of your heart’s electrical activity will be recorded.
- To get a good electrical recording, interference with body hair needs to be minimised, which may involve shaving small patches of skin.
- The ECG dots can be removed immediately after the image is acquired. These may sometimes leave small red marks on the skin, which will fade away within a few days.
How long does it take
Approximately 10-15 minutes.
After the examination
You can go back to your normal activities.
Your images and report
A report will be sent to your referring doctor. It is very important you return to your doctor to discuss your results.
Magnolia Specialist Centre will store an electronic copy of your ECG result in our secure database for comparison with any future studies.
This content is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you require any clarification, please contact your clinician for further information.