An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test used to measure the rate and regularity of your heartbeat in order to see if it is functioning properly.
Need answers quickly?
Our Rapid Diagnostics Centre offers fast access to advanced imaging, specialist clinics and on-site testing - helping you get clarity in days, not weeks. Plus, our 24/7 private GP service is here whenever you need urgent advice.
Our charitable purpose
As a charitable hospital, we reinvest in exceptional care, research and innovation - helping us improve healthcare for patients here and far beyond our walls.
Everything you need for your visit
Your Patient Hub brings together everything you need to prepare for your visit, understand your care and know what to expect throughout your stay.
Easy access
Call us today to book an appointment
Fast referral
Get seen and treated within 14 days
What is it for?
Measure the rate and regularity of your heartbeat in order to see if it is functioning properly
On this page
Treatment overview
An ECG measures the electrical activity of your heart that causes it to beat.
The test can be used to check whether your heart is functioning properly, or whether there may be damage to it as a result of drugs, devices such as pacemakers, an existing heart disorder such as an irregular heartbeat, or a past heart attack.
During an electrocardiogram, a machine called an electrocardiograph records the electrical activity of your heart muscle and translates this as a pattern on a computer screen or on paper.
If your heart is functioning normally, the ECG will have a characteristic pattern, while any irregular heartbeat will change the shape of the pattern produced.
FAQs
A standard ECG
A standard ECG, also called a resting ECG, is taken while you’re at rest. Your doctor will ask you to lie down and will put small sticky electrodes onto your legs, arms and chest.These electrodes contain wires attached to a recording machine.When your heart beats, the electrical signal that is produced is picked up by the electrodes and transmitted to the recorder, which then produces a pattern on a screen or on paper.
Exercise ECG
If a resting ECG doesn’t give your doctor enough data, he or she may recommend that you have an exercise ECG, also known as a stress test, which is done while you’re exercising in order to see how your heart performs under stress.As with a resting ECG, an exercise ECG also involves sticking patches on your chest that are connected to a recorder.However, rather than staying still, you’ll be asked to do some kind of exercise such as running on a treadmill or cycling on a stationary bike.Your doctor will start you off gradually and then increase the speed or intensity of the exercise, all while measuring your heartbeat every few minutes.
24-Hour ambulatory ECG
Also known as a Holter monitor or an ambulatory ECG, a 24-hour ambulatory ECG involves monitoring your heartbeat over a 24-hour period.During this time, you’ll wear a portable receiver around your waist that is connected to electrodes on your chest.This allows your doctor to monitor your heart’s activity over an extended period as you go about your normal activity.It is not uncommon for your heart specialist to recommend a longer period of ECG recording beyond 24 hours (36 hours or even 7 days) to increase the chance of detecting a heart rhythm disturbance.In most cases, your doctor will fit the recorder at a hospital, and you’ll then be able to go home and continue normal activity while keeping a diary of any symptoms you experience.
There are several reasons why your doctor may recommend that you have an ECG:
- If you’re about to have an operation that could affect your heart, we need to make sure that we know how well it is working beforehand.
- After surgery, so your doctor can measure how active you can be as you recover.
- If you’re experiencing symptoms that may indicate a problem with your heart, such as dizziness, heart palpitations or chest pain.
- If you’re at an increased risk of heart disease due to family history or because of lifestyle factors such as smoking, being overweight, being diabetic, or having high cholesterol.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
Top-rated by real patients
4.86/5 from over 1,600 reviews on Doctify and over 4.5 on Google.
Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.