12 lead electrocardiogram
An ECG is one of the simplest and quickest cardiology tests available and forms part of your baseline cardiology assessment.
Your doctor has recommended you undergo a test commonly referred to as an ECG, which stands for 12 lead electrocardiogram.
You might not have heard this medical term before now and may be feeling unsure about the nature of the test.
This information sheet will outline what the test involves.
After you read this information sheet, you might still have questions. If you do, please contact the team at Heart HQ. We’re here to help.
What’s an ECG?
An ECG is one of the simplest and quickest cardiology tests available and forms part of your baseline cardiology assessment.
An ECG is a non-invasive test that records your heart’s electrical activity. ECGs are a valuable tool to detect many different types of abnormalities including arrhythmias (irregular heart beats or rhythms), coronary artery disease (heart disease) or evidence of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and other potential problems.
How does it work?
There is no preparation for an ECG. We will place 12 stickers across your chest, arms and legs which are connected to an ECG machine. The results will be shown as a series of lines with spikes and waves to display the electrical currents within your heart.
The test should take no longer than a couple of minutes to complete.
12 lead electrocardiogram info sheet