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Download Going for an ECG (Electrocardiogram) easy read PDF.
An ECG can be done at the GP surgery or sometimes at a hospital.
An ECG is a test to check your heart.
You can choose to have a man or woman complete your ECG.
You can ask for someone to stay with you.
The nurse will ask you to go into a room to take off your top and lay on a couch.
You may be given a gown to wear.
The nurse will clean areas of skin on your chest and legs.
For men if your chest is very hairy the nurse may need to shave a small area to put the electrodes onto your skin.
Electrodes are sticky sensors.
The nurse will stick electrodes on different parts of your body.
The nurse will ask you to relax and stay still while the ECG machine gets the information and prints it out.
An ECG doesn’t take long.
The nurse will tell you when the machine has finished.
The nurse will take off all the leads and electrodes. You can get dressed.
The nurse will tell you if you need to wait to see your doctor or consultant to tell you about the test.
If you are worried or want to ask questions talk to the nurse or doctor who helps you.