Topless for ECG?

[Ellabella989]

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

I've had a few where I work and only had to lift my top up, kept my bra on, I don't see why they would need you to be completely topless

I had one about 6 weeks ago and had to go top bare. I questioned the necessity and the nurse said it's to do with the number of leads used. Lots of leads means topless.

I had lots done last year, and was always topless. It varied with being offered something to cover you up......... and equal amount of male or female nurses.

The only time I ever felt uncomfortable was in a busy clinic, having to sit with nothing on my top half and staff bustling past the curtains.......... one false move and you'd have been exposed to half the waiting room.

I think it depends on exactly what type of procedure you have done as mentioned by a pp. I have had a lot. If you have the ones without a scanner (eg like you can get in a Dr surgery with just electrodes attached to you) a loose top or might be able to stay on.you will be exposed a bit.

For the full ecg with scanner I need to be completely topless plus moved into various positions. I've had both male and female people do it. I did feel quite exposed but they weren't looking at my body really but rather the screen images.

the sticky dots for an ECG are positioned relative to various landmarks (4th & 5th ribs/clavicle/axilla). It’s hard to see/feel exactly where the right positions are with a bra on. If the dots aren’t in the right place the ecg may not be so accurate and may be non-diagnostic/falsely reassuring.

An echo (ultrasound) is a completely different procedure and the gel will get all over your clothes if you don’t take them off!

Scst guidelines say top off for accuracy but many hospitals have their own guidelines.

Its much easier with tops off and a loose sheet to cover once the electrodes are attached but many women find it uncomfortable which in turn can affect accuracy if the patient is tense and unrelaxed.

I had to take everything off on top but once they put the sensors on me, covered me with that paper stuff for a bit of privacy while it was happening.

Just had it and had to be topless. Luckily a woman did it though as would have felt more uncomfortable with a man. She covered me up with a sheet once the pad things were all attached but I had to lie there exposed for a few minutes before she covered me up. She could tell I was self conscious as kept trying to cover myself up so she reassured me that she’s done a million of them.