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.
