What is an Electrocardiogram?

What Happens During an ECG?

During the electrocardiogram, your consultant will put electrodes, small sensors that stick to your skin, much like plasters, to monitor your heart. Every time your heart beats, it produces tiny electrical signals that tell the heart muscles when to contract. An ECG picks up these signals and turns them into a graph that doctors can analyse. This graph can inform your consultant if you have any of these cardiovascular conditions:

• Irregular Heart Rhythms (Arrhythmias) – These can indicate if your heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
• Coronary Heart Disease – This test can indicate whether your arteries are narrowed or blocked, which can prevent your heart from receiving an adequate blood supply.
• Heart Attacks (Past and Present) – An ECG can reveal if you’ve previously had a heart attack, even if you didn’t realise it at the time.
• Genetically Linked Cardiovascular Conditions – Some inherited heart disorders can be identified through specific patterns on an ECG.
• Heart Enlargement (Hypertrophy) – This condition involves the thickening of the heart muscle and is often associated with high blood pressure.
• General Heart Health Concerns – If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or other risk factors, your consultant may recommend an ECG as part of your regular health checks.

The ECG Procedure and Recovery

It might be a bit daunting if you’ve never had an ECG before. But it’s a straightforward and painless test. Knowing what to expect can help with any concerns:

• Preparation – You’ll be asked to lie down, and one of our consultants or healthcare professional will place small electrodes on your skin. We may need to shave a small area of hair to make the electrodes stick properly.
• Recording – The machine records your heart’s electrical signals. You won’t feel a thing.
• Completion – Once the test is done, the electrodes are removed, and you can go about your day as usual.

There is no recovery time needed. Most patients are in and out within 15 minutes.

Types of ECGs

Your GP or a hospital consultant will refer you for an ECG if they suspect a cardiovascular condition. Different types of ECG tests are designed to pick up different heart problems. Here are some of the most common:

• Resting ECG
  • What It Is – A standard ECG performed while you’re lying still.
  • Why It’s Used – It can detect heart conditions such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, or enlarged heart chambers.
• Exercise ECG (Stress Test or Treadmill ECG)
  • What It Is – An ECG taken while walking on a treadmill or cycling on a stationary bike.
  • Why It’s Used – Helps diagnose coronary heart disease (CHD) by assessing how your heart handles exertion.
• Holter Monitor (24- or 48-hour ECG)
  • What It Is – You wear a small, portable ECG device for one or two days while performing your normal activities.
  • Why It’s Used – Helps detect irregular heart rhythms that may not appear on a single ECG.
• Event Monitor (Long-Term ECG Monitoring)
  • What It Is – A wearable device used for weeks or months, which you activate when you feel symptoms.
  • Why It’s Used – Ideal for spotting irregular heartbeats that happen infrequently.
• Telemetry ECG (Hospital Continuous Monitoring)
  • What It Is – A continuous ECG is used while you’re in the hospital, with real-time monitoring.
  • Why It’s Used – For patients with ongoing heart issues or those recovering from a heart attack.

Understanding Your Results

The ECG test helps us get a clear picture of your heart’s health and, if needed, guide you towards the right treatment plan. Your ECG results can be perfectly normal. However, if they’re not, they may require further investigation. An abnormal ECG doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a serious issue. It could be caused by minor variations in heart rhythm or even something as simple as dehydration.

If we notice anything concerning, we’ll recommend additional tests to get to the bottom of the issue.

Private ECG Testing in Sussex

At Sussex Premier Health, we understand cardiovascular conditions can be severe, and the stress of waiting for an ECG test can take its toll. We offer private ECG testing with fast appointments and access to experienced cardiology consultants. If you have concerns about your heart health or need a routine check-up, an ECG is a simple way to get clarity.

Contact us to book an appointment or to learn more about our cardiology services. Your heart’s health is too important to ignore.