Yonker ECG machine

An electrocardiogram, often called an ECG, traces tiny electrical changes associated with each heartbeat. Sticky electrodes placed on the chest and limbs connect to the machine, which produces a recording for clinical interpretation. An ECG can show a rhythm at the time it is recorded and may reveal patterns that need further assessment. It does not explain every cause of chest symptoms, palpitations, breathlessness, or dizziness, so a clinician combines it with your history, examination, and any other appropriate tests.

Wear clothing that allows access to the chest and tell the clinician about medicines, implanted cardiac devices, skin sensitivity, and symptoms you have had. During the recording, lie still and breathe normally unless asked otherwise. The test is usually quick and does not send electricity into the body; it reads the heart's existing electrical activity. Keep a note of when symptoms happen, what you were doing, and whether they came with pain, faintness, or breathlessness.

Call emergency services for new or severe chest pressure, difficulty breathing, fainting, a sustained racing or irregular heartbeat with feeling unwell, or symptoms that spread to the jaw, arm, back, or upper abdomen. A home or clinic ECG device should not delay emergency care. If symptoms have settled but recur, arrange prompt clinical review and bring any recordings you have been given.

Ask why an ECG is recommended, whether the tracing was obtained while symptoms were present, and what the result means in your situation. If the ECG is normal but symptoms continue, ask what follow-up assessment or monitoring might be suitable.