Exercise test at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park

As well as measuring the electrical activity of your heart, an ECG can detect changes in heart rhythm and abnormalities in the signals themselves, such as palpitations. The test can be used to assess if you have had a heart attack or detect evidence of a previous heart attack.

If you decide to have your procedure with us, you will be looked after by an experienced multi-disciplinary care team.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals and clinics.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

You will need a referral letter from a consultant or GP is before booking any diagnostic investigation.

You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.

Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

While an ECG is a completely routine and safe procedure, we understand that being advised to have your heart checked can potentially be a time of anxiety and worry. Our experienced and caring medical staff will be there for you, holding your hand, every step of the way.

An ECG is a painless test, which takes less than a minute to perform once the leads are in position. During an ECG, electrodes will be placed on your wrists, ankles and chest as you relax. These electrodes are connected to a machine, which records all the electrical signals from your heart.

After the test, we will remove the electrodes and review the readings from the ECG machine, which appear as a series of waves.

We will discuss your results with you after the test.

If anything out of the ordinary is found, they will tell you what it could mean and potential treatment paths that best suit your circumstances.

We offer integrated medical care and can create a treatment plan to help put you back on the road to good health, or we can send your results straight to your GP.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.