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Original poster

Topless for ECG?

33 replies

Ellabella989 · 21/09/2019 16:49

I’m booked in to have an ECG done on Monday. Will I have to be fully topless for it (never had one done before)? I know the nurse will have seen hundreds of breasts and won’t bat an eyelid but I get painfully self conscious so just want to prepare myself beforehand. Thanks

OP posts:
healthylifestylee · 21/09/2019 16:53

Usually yes due to wired bras and the placement of the pads.
A loose cami top with no bra should be ok though as long as they are able to reach your chest.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 21/09/2019 16:54

Yes, I don't know about a cami top though

healthylifestylee · 21/09/2019 17:12

No can't say I've ever had one - just figures if you wanted to be covered up wearing something like that might be ok?
Not sure what else to suggest :)

LilouBlue · 21/09/2019 17:14

I've had several, and always had to be topless. Best to be prepared, but you could definitely ask if you can wear a cami, or maybe a crop top?

Skap · 21/09/2019 17:16

I've had lots of ecgs. Never been topless. Nursing staff always try to preserve modesty. They do have to fit stickers to your chest but usually just move the bra out of the way. Avoid wired bra.

DragonMamma · 21/09/2019 17:17

I’ve been topless but they’ve given me a sheet to cover myself once the pads are attached.

wilmawebb · 21/09/2019 17:21

I’ve just had one and was told to take my bra off. The nurse said to just cover myself with my top and move it at the last minute.

Areallthenamestaken · 21/09/2019 17:22

I've had two. Depending on how good the doctor is, your modesty will be protected. They give you a gown but it opens at the front. The first (Luton) wasn't interested in my privacy and just got on with it but he wasn't looking either so as awkward as I felt, it wasn't so bad. The second (Addenbrooks) was fantastic. Very chatty and respectful, carefully manoeuvring and recovering me as he went.

It's over really quickly. You will have a chaperone if the doctor is male anyway. Try not to worry about it.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 21/09/2019 17:37

Is it standard practice to be offered a chaperone? I recently had an echocardiogram and the sonographer (if that's what they are called) was male. I wasn't offered a one, nor that it bothered me.

Papergirl1968 · 21/09/2019 17:49

Yes, topless, and lots of having to push/pull boobs out of the way. Female nurse though so not too bad.

Itallt0omuch · 21/09/2019 17:50

I had one many moons ago and had to be topless.

starfishmummy · 21/09/2019 17:50

I had one last week and was asked to take my bra off but that I could put my top (which was a loose one) back on.

Greybeardy · 21/09/2019 18:16

Topless makes it much easier to get the stickers in the right place, particularly for women with bigger breasts (the dots aren’t just randomly scattered around the chest - there are specific spots they’re supposed to go in). A lot of suboptimal ecg’s get done & I suspect bras are responsible for a fair number of them.

Areallthenamestaken · 21/09/2019 18:16

I had a female nurse for both. The first wasn't much use but the second was nice. I think the second appointment was just better in general though.

Original poster
Ellabella989 · 21/09/2019 18:21

Thanks everyone. Really hope I don’t get a male nurse as would make me feel more uncomfortable.

OP posts:
FatChloe · 21/09/2019 18:23

I had one (wasn't expecting to so couldn't prepare what I was wearing). I was wearing a sports bra and it was fine.

halloumi2019 · 21/09/2019 19:40

I have had 2 during 2 unexpected A&E visits, I wasn’t wearing a bra either time (I’m not a tramp lol just have tiny A cup tits that don’t warrant a bra)

The first time I was wearing a dress which had a cami style top half, she worked around it and the 2nd time I was wearing a shirt and they approached from underneath.

halloumi2019 · 21/09/2019 19:43

The nurse did say that it is much easier to place the stickers without a bra in the way!

timshelthechoice · 21/09/2019 19:43

I've been asked to remove my bra but then given a sheet or gown to put over myself. I have a big bust, though (40DD).

user1019273703 · 21/09/2019 19:44

I have had lots of ECGs and never been topless. You are for an echo but not an ECG

thinkfast · 21/09/2019 19:48

I had one with a male nurse and was told to be topless. Nothing given for modesty...at the time I was too worried to car much but now I come to think about it....

Sagradafamiliar · 21/09/2019 19:49

I've had quite a few, never been asked to take my bra off. Male paramedics even worked around me wearing a dressing gown

WellIamNot · 21/09/2019 19:50

Got a heart condition so regularly get these done and echos too. When I have ECGs it’s usually just top off, bra left on. whereas with echo scans it’s full top half off.

Sagradafamiliar · 21/09/2019 19:51

Just seen that you'd feel uncomfortable with a male nurse. You could request a female, with no need to justify your preference.

AgeLikeWine · 21/09/2019 19:53

It’s a medical procedure. They are professionals and they are interested in your ticker not your tits. Just let them get on with their job, and don’t worry about things which don’t matter.

Good luck, OP. I hope it goes well for you.

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