What happens at an ECG?

[HerGraciousMajTheBeardedPotato]

I'm going to have ECG soon. What happens, and how long does it take?

[Lauren83]

I have had one, you strip from the waist up, they put loads of little sticky pads and wires on you, it takes 5-10 mins whilst they monitor it then they print it off and you're done, I had to have one after having a bad reaction to a general anaesthetic after surgery but it came back fine x

[GwenStacy]

From experience, shave your legs! I had one and pulling the pads off unshaved legs was pretty painful!

[NewFish]

Hiya. The actual process takes minutes.
Electronic cardiogram
Lots of leads with little crocodile clips on end.
Each one is clipped on to a sticky pad that is placed on your skin.
They each look at the electrical pathways in the heart
Each one sees your heart from a different angle depending on where on the body they are placed
Once they are all attached, one on each wrist or sometimes shoulder, one on each ankle or sometimes hip, and six around your chest, they machine takes a reading and prints out a snap shot of the electrical activity in your heart.

Usually takes less than a minute for the actual read out to appear. Totally pain free

Results from the read out need to be read and interpreted by a doctor or a specialist cardiac nurse so you may not be told any thing about the reading there and then.

[FizzyFeet]

I went into mine thinking that they might make me walk on a treadmill. Instead, I got into a hospital gown and onto a bed, half-propped up. The sticky pads went on as other posters have described; I had to take my bra off but they kept the gown covering me up to preserve my dignity! All over in minutes and very straightforward!

[NCISaddict]

The sticky pads on your chest are placed one either side of your sternum about half way down your chest and the other four go down under your left breast. You'll have to stay really still and as relaxed as possible while they do the reading. Don't worry if they do more than one, it's just to get the clearest reading.
Oh and don't have your smart phone in your pocket, they interfere with them, strangely enough so do electric recliner chairs.

[HerGraciousMajTheBeardedPotato]

Is the reading only for a couple of minutes? Sounds like there's more faffing about with electrodes than actual measuring!

[NCISaddict]

It takes about 30 seconds to do the reading but it's only accurate if they're put on in the correct order and the right place. It's a lot more difficult with men as you might have to shave their chest.
Larger ladies can be a bit problematic as you have to lift boobs to position the electrodes. I put them on on emergency situations so it takes less time and a little less finesse. Although I do always explain what I'm doing but it may be while I'm doing it IYSWIM. Also if they see anything really urgent something will happen immediately so don't worry if you have to wait for results.