An electrocardiogram records the electrical activity of the heart through small stickers placed on the chest and limbs. The test usually takes only a few minutes and does not involve needles or radiation.
You will be asked to lie still. The machine prints or displays a tracing of each heartbeat. The clinician looks at rhythm, rate and patterns that may suggest strain, previous injury or acute change.
A normal ECG is reassuring but does not exclude every heart problem. Some conditions appear only during symptoms, exercise or longer monitoring. That is why the ECG is interpreted together with your history, not in isolation.
If further information is needed, echocardiography, Holter monitoring or other tests may be discussed. Your clinician will explain why a test is being suggested.
Sudden severe chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or symptoms of a possible heart attack require immediate emergency medical attention. Please call local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. This website does not provide emergency care.