ECG stands for electrocardiogram. The heart muscle receives tiny electrical impulses which spread through the heart muscle and make it contract. It is this electrical activity that can be detected and recorded by the ECG machine.

• The test is painless and also very harmless.
• Small electrodes are stuck onto your arms, legs and across your chest. Wires leading from these electrodes conduct the detected electrical impulses to the ECG machine. Once received at the machine they are amplified and recorded.
• The test is really very quick, excluding undressing and dressing again, only some 5 minutes.
• The electrodes from the different areas convey the electrical impulses from different directions. There are recognised patterns for each electrode. Various heart problems can produce abnormal patterns.
• Should you be recommended to have an ECG it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong, we often use it to confirm that all is okay such as when your blood pressure is raised.

Due to generous practice donations we are able to perform ECG’s at the surgery.

Visit the Stalbridge Surgery | Equipment page.
Visit the Stalbridge Surgery | Investigations page.