This factsheet provides information about your forthcoming appointment so that you know exactly what to expect. We’ll go into more detail during your appointment and you’ll also be able to ask any questions that you may have.

Having a 12 lead Echocardiogram (ECG)

An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of the heart. The heart produces tiny electrical impulses which spread through the heart muscle to make the heart contract. These impulses can be detected by the ECG machine. You may have an ECG to help find the cause of symptoms such as the feeling of a ‘thumping heart’ (palpitations) or chest pain.

The ECG test is painless and harmless. (The ECG machine records electrical impulses coming from your body – it does not put any electricity into your body.)

Preparing for your test

You can take all your medications as usual and eat and drink as normal. If you would like to bring a chaperone with you, you’re welcome to bring a friend or relative. Alternatively, we can provide a chaperone for you upon your request.

At the appointment

Small metal electrodes are stuck on to your arms, legs and chest. Wires from the electrodes are connected to the ECG machine. You will be asked to remain very still whilst the machine detects the electrical impulses that occur at each heartbeat and records them on to a computer. The test takes about 10 minutes to complete and the recording of your heart will be reviewed by a cardiac physiologist.

Giving your consent for the procedure. 

This information is intended to provide you with an overview of the heart monitor procedure. Prior to any medical examination being carried out, the Clinician will describe the nature of the examination. It is your right to be given sufficient information to be able to make any informed decision as to whether you wish to continue with the examination. 

Results

Your results will be sent to the doctor who requested the test, which normally will be your GP. We advise you to contact the surgery 7 days after your examination.

This factsheet provides information about your forthcoming appointment so that you know exactly what to expect. We’ll go into more detail during your appointment and you’ll also be able to ask any questions that you may have.

Having a heart monitor

A heart monitor is used to assess your heart rate and rhythm for 24 hours or longer. It can be used to identify abnormal heart rates or rhythms, which may or may not be associated with particular symptoms. A heart monitor is also sometimes called an ‘ambulatory heart monitor’ or a ‘tape’.

Preparing for your test

The monitor will be worn for 24 hours and can be attached to your waistband using a clip or placed within a pouch which you can carry.

You can take all your medications as usual and eat and drink as normal. If you would like to bring a chaperone with you, you’re welcome to bring a friend or relative. Alternatively, we can provide a chaperone for you upon your request.

At the appointment

During your appointment stickers (called electrodes) will be put onto your chest to monitor your heart rate and rhythm. Some men may need to have a small area on their chest shaved in order for the electrodes to stick to the skin. These stickers are attached to the heart monitor.

Wearing the monitor

The heart monitor will record your heart rate and rhythm automatically so you won’t be required to do anything. It is important to carry on with your normal daily routine whilst you’re wearing the monitor. This includes any exercise you would normally do, as advised by your doctor (if applicable). You will be given a diary sheet to complete whilst wearing the monitor. Use this to make a note of the exact time and details of any symptoms you may experience.

The only restrictions whilst wearing the monitor are:

• Do not shower or take a bath
• Wear a loose fitting top
• Do not sleep with an electric blanket switched on

Giving your consent for the procedure. 

This information is intended to provide you with an overview of the heart monitor procedure. Prior to any medical examination being carried out, the Clinician will describe the nature of the examination. It is your right to be given sufficient information to be able to make any informed decision as to whether you wish to continue with the examination. 

Returning the monitor

You can remove the monitor yourself once the monitoring period has ended – we’ll show you how to do this. You’ll need to return the monitor and diary sheet to the GP reception. The recording will then be analysed and the results will be sent to your doctor. It’s very important that these devices are returned quickly so they’re available for other patients to use.

Results

Your results will be sent to the doctor who requested the test, which normally will be your GP. We advise you to contact the surgery 7 days after your examination.

This factsheet provides information about your forthcoming appointment so that you know exactly what to expect. We’ll go into more detail during your appointment and you’ll also be able to ask any questions that you may have.

Having a 24-hour blood pressure monitor

A blood pressure monitor is used to measure and record your blood pressure over a 24-hour period during your normal daily routine. It can be used to diagnose conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes used to diagnose a condition called white coat hypertension, which is when high blood pressure readings are caused by being in a clinical environment, such as a doctor’s surgery or a hospital. It can also be used to assess the use of medication for blood pressure control.

Preparing for your test

You’ll need to wear something with loose sleeves so that we can put a blood pressure cuff on your upper arm. The monitor itself will be attached to a belt around your waist. If possible, please wear your own belt. You can take all your medications as usual and eat and drink as normal. If you would like to bring a chaperone with you, you’re welcome to bring a friend or relative. Alternatively, we can provide a chaperone for you upon your request.

At the appointment

The first step is to record your blood pressure manually in both arms and then we’ll attach the blood pressure monitor and cuff to your upper arm. The cuff will usually be attached to your least dominant arm, for example to your left arm if you are right-handed. The arm cuff connects via a small tube to the monitoring device, which is a small box worn on a belt around your waist. The blood pressure cuff will be inflated during your appointment to check the device is recording correctly.

During your appointment we’ll ask you what time you get up and go to bed each day. We’ll then set-up the monitor to automatically record your blood pressure every 30 minutes during the day and every 60 minutes throughout the night. During a recording the blood pressure cuff around your arm will inflate.

Wearing the monitor

When you feel the cuff starting to inflate you should try to sit down with your arm rested and straight (only do this where possible and safe to do so). You will need to keep still and quiet during the recording. If the monitor is unable to record your blood pressure, which can happen for a number of reasons, then it will automatically retry five minutes later, re-inflating the cuff again. The device is automated so you won’t need to do anything.

It’s important that you carry on with your normal daily routine whilst you’re wearing the monitor. This includes any exercise you would normally do, as advised by your doctor (if applicable). You will be given a diary sheet to complete whilst wearing the monitor. Use this to make a note of the exact time and details of any symptoms you may experience. You won’t be able to have a bath or a shower whilst you’re wearing the monitor as it must stay dry.

Giving your consent for the procedure

This information is intended to provide you with an overview of the heart monitor procedure. Prior to any medical examination being carried out, the Clinician will describe the nature of the examination. It is your right to be given sufficient information to be able to make any informed decision as to whether you wish to continue with the examination. 

Returning the monitor

At the same time the following day you will need to return to the GP surgery and we will remove the blood pressure monitor and review your diary sheet with you. The recording will then be analysed and the results will be sent to your doctor

Results

Your results will be sent to the doctor who requested the test, which normally will be your GP. We advise you to contact the surgery 7 days after your examination.

This factsheet provides information about your forthcoming appointment so that you know exactly what to expect. We’ll go into more detail during your appointment and you’ll also be able to ask any questions that you may have.

Having an echocardiogram

An echocardiogram or ‘echo’ is a scan that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to produce pictures of your heart. It’s a completely painless test that doesn’t have any side effects and doesn’t use radioactivity. An echocardiogram tells us how well your heart is pumping and whether your heart valves are working properly, but it doesn’t indicate whether or not you have angina.

Preparing for your test

You can take all your medications as usual and eat and drink as normal. If you would like to bring a chaperone with you, you’re welcome to bring a friend or relative. Alternatively, we can provide a chaperone for you upon your request.

At the appointment

The test will be performed by a Cardiac Physiologist, who may be male or female. A Cardiac Physiologist is a qualified specialist who operates ultrasound equipment and not a doctor. You will be asked to undress to the waist, but you’ll be covered up appropriately. You’ll need to lie on the couch on your left-hand side. We’ll attach stickers to your chest, which will be connected to the machine, and these will monitor your heart rate during the test. The lights in the room will be dimmed to make it easier for the specialist to see the images of your heart. An ultrasound probe covered by a small amount of gel is placed gently on the centre of your chest and will be moved to different positions throughout the test – beneath the left breast, beneath the rib cage and to the base of your neck. This enables us to see images of your heart from a number of different angles, which are then recorded.

During the echocardiogram

You will hear sounds coming from the machine, which represent blood flow through the heart. The echocardiogram will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Once the echocardiogram is complete you can get dressed and leave. There aren’t any limitations as to what you can do after the scan so you can carry on as normal. You can drive to and from your appointment.

Giving your consent for the procedure

This information is intended to provide you with an overview of the Echo scan procedure. Prior to any medical examination being carried out, the Clinician will describe the nature of the examination. It is your right to be given sufficient information to be able to make any informed decision as to whether you wish to continue with the examination. 

Results

Your results will be sent to the doctor who requested the test, which normally will be your GP. We advise you to contact the surgery 7 days after your examination.