Electrocardiogram (ECG) Diagnostic Services

Experience a consistent standard of
cardiovascular care.

The ECG is an indispensable tool in modern cardiology due to its ability to detect Arrhythmias, diagnose heart attacks, uncover hypertrophy, monitor heart health, and guide treatment plans.

What an ECG records

An electrocardiogram records the electrical activity that coordinates each heartbeat. Electrodes placed on the chest, arms and legs pick up these signals from several angles, producing the familiar tracing. It is quick, non-invasive and uses no radiation.

The tracing shows the heart rate and rhythm, whether the electrical impulse is travelling normally through the heart, and patterns that can indicate strain on a chamber, previous damage to heart muscle, or an ongoing problem with blood supply.

What an ECG can and cannot tell you

An ECG captures a short window of time, usually a few seconds. It is very useful when a problem is present at the moment of recording, but a normal ECG does not exclude intermittent rhythm disturbances or coronary artery disease. Where symptoms come and go, longer monitoring is often more informative than repeating a resting ECG.

When an ECG is arranged

An ECG is commonly recorded as part of a cardiac assessment, when palpitations, chest discomfort, breathlessness, dizziness or blackouts are being investigated, before certain procedures, and to monitor the effect of medications that influence heart rhythm.

If your ECG raises a question, the next step is usually a further test rather than a conclusion — longer rhythm monitoring, an ultrasound scan of the heart, or an assessment of the heart under exertion. To discuss which assessment suits your situation, please contact the clinic.