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Checking heart rhythm and activity
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple test that can be used to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity.
It is used alongside other tests to help diagnose and monitor conditions affecting the heart, such as arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, heart attacks and cardiomyopathy.
An ECG can be required for various medicals or if you are experiencing chest pain, palpitations (suddenly noticeable heartbeats), dizziness and shortness of breath.
A series of ECGs can also be taken over time to monitor a person already diagnosed with a heart condition or taking medication known to potentially affect the heart.
For a specialist interpretation of the ECG, Summerfield Healthcare is able to expand the report to include an adjusted measured view of QTc measurements. This allows much more accurate results than simply reviewing the printed electrocardiogram.
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Why might I need an ECG?
An ECG is a requirement for many work, travel or sports medicals. Summerfield Healthcare carries out this test with a specially trained healthcare professional at our clinic.
It can also be used to investigate symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting and palpitations which could be caused by a heart attack, inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis) or angina.
Other heart problems that may be detected:
- Arrhythmias
Where there is an abnormal heart rhythm and electrical activity (beats too slowly, too quickly or irregularly)
- Coronary Heart Disease
Where the heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances
- Heart Attacks
Where the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked
- Cardiomyopathy
Where the heart walls become thickened or enlarged
You may also need an ECG to confirm that prescribed medicines aren’t causing side effects that affect the heart.
This test can also check the health of the heart when other diseases or conditions are present. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes and a family history of early heart disease.
What will the test entail?
You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for the test and you can eat and drink as normal beforehand.
Before the electrodes are attached, you’ll usually need to remove your upper clothing, and your chest may need to be shaved or cleaned before the ECG recording.
The test takes between 10 and 15 minutes to perform, depending on what is being tested for.
Ten leads are placed on your body, six on your chest and one on each of your limbs in order for the doctor to get a 360 view of your heart function.
There is no sensation for you, it is like having ten small stethoscopes placed on to you however instead of sound being registered it is the electricity that your pulse generates which is recorded.
The graph which is generated by your pulse is then analysed by an expert to confirm that everything is as it should be.
How much does it cost?
An Electrocardiogram (ECG) can be carried out at our Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton clinics at a cost of £80.00.
We have weekly appointments available and ensure fast results for patients.
What is
the cost?
Although Summerfield Healthcare is a private practice our fees are low cost and structured with you in mind. Initial consultation fees are listed below:
Electrocardiogram
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the team
Summerfield Healthcare private medical centres are conveniently located & always administer an outstanding standard of patient care. Read more
Dr Vivake Roddah
General Practitioner / Medical Director
Dr Vivake Roddah is a GP with professional interests in Dermatology, Minor surgery and Occupational Medicine. He completed his GP training in the Oxford Deanery and has had the opportunity of working with patients from many different backgrounds.