No specific preparation is needed. You can eat, drink and take your regular medications as normal before your appointment. It can be helpful to wear loose clothing that allows easy access to your chest and forearms.

A 12 lead ECG is very effective at detecting certain conditions — including arrhythmias, heart block, signs of a previous heart attack, and structural changes. However, because it only records for around 10 seconds, it may not capture intermittent problems that don't happen to occur during the recording. If your symptoms are infrequent, a 24-hour or longer Holter monitor may be more appropriate.

Your ECG trace is typically reviewed within one hour and a formal written report from the reporting cardiology doctor is typically sent to you the same day or the next working day.

No — they are different tests. An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart and is used to assess rhythm and detect certain structural problems. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart and provides detailed images of its structure, valves and pumping function. Both tests are often complementary and may be recommended together.

Yes, we work with most major private medical insurers. Please contact our team with your insurer details and authorisation number before your appointment and we will liaise with them directly. We also welcome self-paying patients at competitive private rates.

Yes. Your written report is sent to you. Many patients also like to talk their results through in person, so we offer a private GP consultation at Jenhams to go over your report, explain what it means for you, and agree any next steps — whether that’s reassurance, starting treatment, or arranging an onward referral. You can book this when you arrange your test, or once your results are ready. (from £60)

Of course. If you haven’t been referred for a specific test, the right length of monitoring depends mainly on how often your symptoms occur. If you’re unsure, we’d recommend a short private GP telephone consultation first: one of our GPs will review your symptoms and history and recommend the most appropriate test, giving you the best chance of a clear answer first time. The consultation fee can be redeemed against the cost of your monitoring. (from £20)