An appointment is required to complete this test as it requires specialized staff and/or specific medical equipment. To book your appointment, please visit our location finder and select specialty test name in the Specialty Test dropdown filter when entering your search criteria
An ECG is completed in one of our Patient Service Centres and involves placing sensors to your chest arms and lower legs to monitor your heart for a brief period. When you arrive, the lab assistant will ask you a few health-related questions (height, weight, medications, symptoms, reason for the testing, if you have had this test performed before and whether you have a pacemaker) and ask you to:
- Remove all your clothing from the waist up as we require a bare chest to position the chest sensors. A sheet will be provided so you can cover yourself.
- Expose your lower legs below the knees. You will be asked to remove pantyhose or tights; however you may keep your shoes and socks on.
- Lay flat on your back on the ECG bed.
Once you are laying on the bed and relaxed, the lab assistant will:
- Rub alcohol on a small area of your upper arms and lower legs and chest (around the heart area).
- Place six skin sensors on your chest and one on each arm and leg.
- Feel for rib spaces to ensure accurate chest sensor placement. Some placements may require lifting of the breast; this is done by using the back of the hand.
- Ensure you are covered once the sensors are placed and cables attached to preserve your modesty.
- Potentially place pillows under your legs or reapply one or more sensors to ensure an accurate reading.