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Original poster

ECG at GP surgery

55 replies

AutumnDance · 13/01/2022 11:33

My GP wanted me to do this and I am booked for an ECG. I did a search on Mumsnet about ecg and apparently you are asked to take off your clothes on top including a bra?

Is this the procedure in all GP surgeries? Has anyone had it done before?
I don't want to be naked on top exposing my boobs. I don't mind wearing a bra. Or would the let me wear a vest and pull it up or down?

OP posts:
MrsPnut · 13/01/2022 11:35

I had one at the surgery and the nurse practitioner did it. You do need to take your clothing off your top half because of the positioning of the sticky pads but it lasts about 5 minutes.

PinkTot · 13/01/2022 11:37

Yeah you have to take off your bra.

I'd make sure you wear jeans, instead of say a dress and tights (like I did) as they also need to put them on your ankles.. learnt that the hard way.

Ihatestripysocks · 13/01/2022 11:38

You do need take it off as it’s easier as there is about 6 leads to go on around breasts and chests. If it’s just a reading it only be a few minutes. You can always ask if there is particular reason why you rather not. Normally a nurse does them and they tend to be female if that helps.

hashbrownsandwich · 13/01/2022 11:39

To reassure you, I conduct ECGs in our Gp practice and this is normal. It's due to the metal in the bra which was the thinking in days gone past but it's also do make sure the lead placement. I've attached a photo below which shows the lead placement and as you can imagine wi the females it's basically right on the bra line.

I spend a lot of time shaving hairy chests (mostly men!) too so don't be worried, we see all sorts of body parts all the time and we don't think anything of it.

I always ask the patient to undress in their own time, make sure the door is locked so no one comes in and I make sure blinds are down and curtain is around the couch.

Good luck!

ECG at GP surgery
hashbrownsandwich · 13/01/2022 11:41

Another tip to make it quicker, don't wear any body lotion as we need the electro tags to stick, I've spent a lot of time reattaching them to slippery patients too!

It takes longer to place the probes and fill out the info than it does to do the actual ECG test, which usually is only under 20
Seconds long.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 13/01/2022 11:48

I don't want to show my boobs.

How long do the test last?
Would I be allowed to wear a scarf so that I can cover up?

Or will they give me disposal tissue to use as a blanket to cover up?

Could I wear a crop top and lift it up out of the way?

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 13/01/2022 11:49

I don't wear wire bras either

OP posts:
rainbowandglitter · 13/01/2022 11:49

I've had them done since I was 15 and have always had to be totally topless.

sashh · 13/01/2022 11:50

Sorry OP but there is no way to do it without you undressing from the waist up. And in order to get the electrodes in the correct place you might find your left boob being 'picked up'.

The Dr, tech, nurse, whoever is doing the ECG will also use their fingers to feel your ribs and clavical.

The ECG 'looks' at your heart from different angles. So the monitors you see on TV or on hospital wards only show the heart rythm, the chest leads look at the ventricles and septum, this is how you can look at an ECG (if you know what you are doing) and see which part of the heart is doing what.

And sorry @hashbrownsandwich it has nothing to do with bra wires.

hashbrownsandwich · 13/01/2022 11:52

If you are worried then don't feel scared to ask the person conducting the ECG.

The leads have to be in contact with the body to be accurate obviously so the positioning of the last 5 leads (around the boob line) isn't changeable.

I would perhaps wear a bra which has no underwire and a vest top. I've had someone before who did this and we took her bra off and I placed the leads while she held her boobs up whilst still wearing the vest top if that makes sense?

I'm sure a scarf or couch roll will be fine but whilst attaching the leads they will have to be in contact with the skin around the breast.

Can I ask, is it just you are embarrassed to be undressed or is there more to it? Either way please don't worry. Most people who do ECGs will be HcAs or nurses so we are used to dealing with all sorts of body parts, orifices and fluids, we don't even think about anything other than making sure we conduct the test accurately.

SeaToSki · 13/01/2022 11:53

If you wear a soft bralett or boob tube type thing, you could get away with not taking it off. Also wear a blouse that buttons down the front and you wont need to take that off either. Just explain to the nurse. They need to put a sticky pad right where the bottom band for your bra would go and on the upper area of the boob itself, so if you can shuffle the fabric around easily it will help. If you do have v large boobs it might all get a bit too tricky and you can ask to be covered with a sheet after the leads are attached

hashbrownsandwich · 13/01/2022 11:53

@sashh

Sorry OP but there is no way to do it without you undressing from the waist up. And in order to get the electrodes in the correct place you might find your left boob being 'picked up'.

The Dr, tech, nurse, whoever is doing the ECG will also use their fingers to feel your ribs and clavical.

The ECG 'looks' at your heart from different angles. So the monitors you see on TV or on hospital wards only show the heart rythm, the chest leads look at the ventricles and septum, this is how you can look at an ECG (if you know what you are doing) and see which part of the heart is doing what.

And sorry @hashbrownsandwich it has nothing to do with bra wires.

Can you explain your reasoning for this comment?

I am mentored and trained in this area by cardiologists so I would be interested to know why you don't agree with them?

KTyoupigeon · 13/01/2022 11:59

Please Asked to be covered. I had an ecg done at home by an ambulance crew and I wasn’t uncovered from the waist up. Yes they lifted my top and my breasts to position the pads but I kept my top on the whole time - this wasn’t my request just what they did at that time

MadisonMontgomery · 13/01/2022 12:00

Yes, you need to be topless. It’s fine, the nurses have seen it all before!

NotAnotherPushyMum · 13/01/2022 12:04

I’ve had three or four ecgs and didn’t need to undress for any of them!

Poorenough · 13/01/2022 12:06

Going against the grain here but I had one a few years ago and wasn't asked to remove my bra. T-shirt yes, and they had to put a couple under my bra but no one mentioned removing it.

hashbrownsandwich · 13/01/2022 12:08

@NotAnotherPushyMum

I’ve had three or four ecgs and didn’t need to undress for any of them!
I don't know what you had done but I doubt it's an ECG if you they didn't need you to remove your top!
Original poster
AutumnDance · 13/01/2022 12:09

Hash brown - I sent a pm to you.

OP posts:
ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 13/01/2022 12:13

I do ecgs in A&E all the time and I don’t make people strip, I just work around their clothing. They might need to remove their bra if it’s under wired and they have large breasts but normally I can work around it. I do do lots though so I can pretty much place leads with my eyes shut, and if there’s interference I’ll see it on the ECG.

2birdsonawire · 13/01/2022 12:14

I had an ECG a few weeks ago, wore a jumper with a tank top underneath and no bra (due to being pregnant and bras being uncomfortable), wasn't told to take my tank top off just roll it up. When I have had ECGs before in hospital I have had to take everything off but I was given tissue to cover. I was made to feel very comfortable by the nurse and if I needed to take my tank top off I would've, think I was allowed to keep it on cause it was loose and freezing in the surgery.

Hope everything goes okay Thanks

Original poster
AutumnDance · 13/01/2022 12:20

I don't want to be exposed.

Thank you for the tip of wearing a buttondoen blouse. I don't think I have a button down blouse. I have plenty of cardis.

I don't know what way this will go for my appointment. If I will be allowed to wear a bra or not. Replies here are different for everyone.
I have a sports bralette top. I also have a bra that opens down the front. The hook and eyes are metal I think.

Which one would be the most convenient to wear? I'm thinking about the sports top.

I will wear a loose crop t-shirt and a cardi. I hope I will be allowed to wear my cardi as a cover up.

OP posts:
GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 13/01/2022 12:21

I'd wear a loose fitting shirt and crop top underneath.

Original poster
AutumnDance · 13/01/2022 12:22

My appointment isn't in the hospital. Its at the GP surgery.

OP posts:
Original poster
AutumnDance · 13/01/2022 12:23

I have breast asymmetry and that's why I don't want to be exposed.

I will wear a crop top and loose t-shirt.

OP posts:
sashh · 13/01/2022 12:46

Can you explain your reasoning for this comment?

I am mentored and trained in this area by cardiologists so I would be interested to know why you don't agree with them?

Because ECGs predate the invention of the bra.

Because I know the difference between V leads and C leads.

Because of 4 years training to be a clinical physiologist.

Because of years of experience. I started my career with welsh cups if anyone else remembers them.

And I'm going to really upset the apple cart, if anyone is working around clothing to take a 12 lead ECG then they are not taking one accurately.

Anyone can place ECG leads with their eyes closed because they electrodes are positioned by touch not sight (except V3).

Because I know enough about ECGs that I know when to use a baby's forehead as a substitute for a left leg.

Oh and I also don't like to see limb electrodes on shoulders / torso - they should be on wrists and ankles (or occasionally a forehead).

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