ECGs, despite modern technology & imaging of the heart, still provide an essential assessment of the electrical activity of the heart and an important element in overall heart assessment. The heart is essentially an electrically circuited machine made of muscle
Detect abnormalities & diagnose palpitations.
- GMC Registered Doctors
- NMC Registered Nurses
- HCPC Registered Professionals
How to book your ECG
You have access to discounted follow-up appointments with our GPs after this procedure by telephone, video or face to face in clinic.
What reasons might we use an ECG?
It is a long list but some of the reasons are:
- identify the cause of an arrhythmia
- pursue evidence of a high-risk arrhythmia syndrome, such as Long-QT and Brugada Syndrome
- investigate a history of syncope or palpitations
- monitor a medication effect
- determine if there is evidence of a myocardial infarction, or “heart attack”
- investigate any evidence of coronary artery blockages
- determine normal pacemaker or ICD functioning
How is it done?
A standard surface ECG is recorded using electrodes, or sticky patches, placed on the body surface, typically over the chest and the extremities. These electrode wires are connected to the ECG machine with recordings from 12 different locations on the surface of the body, the so-called12-lead ECG. The resultant electrocardiogram represents a mesh of cardiac electrical activity from the atrium and ventricles, dependent on the direction and magnitude of the electrical depolarization as it spreads throughout the heart. It is recorded as an output of waveforms that your clinician can print onto paper or record on the monitor.
What are the risks?
There are no risks although you might find it a little uncomfortable when electrodes are removed from your chest at the end of the recording, especially if you have hair.
What is the alternative?
There are no alternatives to this test that will give your doctor the information they need.
We do not do enough ECGs in this country. Approximately 450,000 people are walking around in the UK right now with undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation and at risk of a stroke due to lack of treatment.
An essential tool
First line investigation.
We understand that patients want as ECG done for lots of different reasons:
- A consultant needs it
- Clinic request
- Own knowledge
- Interest in your body
- Monitor performance
- Worry or concern
- Reassurance
- Family history
- Own GP wants it
- Due to ‘googling’
- Having symptoms
We would advise anyone with known Diabetes, Heart Disease, Stroke Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Hypertension, people with high cholesterol & smokers to get a baseline ECG shortly after diagnosis of these conditions. Why? Well, everyone is different and not all changes on an ECG mean disease – they can be ‘normal for you’. Some findings obviously indicate a problem – and that’s why ECGs are still in use after half a century – they work.
An ECG, as well as a routine check for the conditions above, is an important tool in the assessment of patients with symptoms: dizziness, breathlessness, palpitations or fluttering, chest pain, collapse, previous loss of consciousness. We use an ECG here to diagnose potential electrical abnormalities of the heart which may require intervention or treatment.
One of the most common arrhythmias (palpitations) as AF (Atrial Fibrillation). It is estimated to be prevalent in 2.5% of the population, and in 5%‐9% in those between 60 and 80 years old, and approximately 10% of patients more than 80 years old.
Atrial Fibrillation causes strokes & heart failure potentially if left untreated. It is only one of the many conditions picked up on an ECG.
If you are worried about your health, speak to a Duality Healthcare Doctor first. They can guide you to what needs done.
All our GPs have been trained in the UK, NHS experienced & attained Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners.
Routine Checks
12-Lead ECG
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Trusted Technology
