Private ECG Test Newcastle
12-lead electrocardiograms assess heart rhythm, rate, and electrical activity to screen for arrhythmias, cardiac risk, or symptom investigation.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of your heart through small sensors on the skin. It helps investigate symptoms such as palpitations, chest discomfort, dizziness, fainting or shortness of breath, and can check how treatments are working. At IDOS we explain the process, place the sensors carefully and capture a clear 12‑lead tracing for your clinician to review. You’ll get a plain‑English explanation of what the result shows and whether any next steps are needed.
Important: If you have severe chest pain, sudden breathlessness or symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, call 999 immediately.
You’ll lie comfortably while we clean small areas of skin on your chest, arms and legs and place single‑use adhesive sensors (electrodes). The test itself is painless and takes only a few minutes while you breathe normally. Try to keep still and relax your shoulders. Any sudden movement can blur the tracing. Once recorded, we remove the sensors and you can get on with your day as usual.
Wear a top you can easily remove or open at the front. Avoid lotions or oils on your chest that day. These can affect contact with the sensors. Jewellery near the chest should be removed and small areas of hair may be shaved to help the sensors stick. Take your usual medicines unless your clinician advises otherwise.
Private ECG Test – FAQ
If your question isn’t answered below, please contact us directly. We’ll be happy to advise the safest next step.
If you are in the UK and have urgent or emergency symptoms use NHS 111 or call 999.
An ECG records the heart’s electrical activity to check rhythm and conduction. It can help detect arrhythmias (such as atrial fibrillation), evidence of reduced blood supply to the heart, past heart damage, and effects of some medicines or electrolyte changes.
Wear a top that opens easily at the front, avoid chest lotions or oils that day, and be ready to remove jewellery near the chest. Take your usual medicines unless we advise otherwise. Small areas of hair may be shaved to help sensors stick.
We place single‑use sensors on your chest, arms and legs and record while you breathe normally. The test is painless and usually completed within 5–10 minutes.
We collaborate with a local specialist (cardiologist).
Although we have good experience of reporting ECGs, we do occasionally ask a cardiologist for an interpretation of a more complex ECG. If this is the case, we will inform you that this is taking place. We will communicate the outcome with you as soon as this is available.
Yes, ECG is safe and non‑invasive. Rarely, adhesive pads can cause mild skin irritation that settles soon after. Tell us if you have allergies to adhesives so we can use suitable options.
Most results are explained on the day. Your clinician will interpret the tracing in context with your symptoms and history and advise any next steps, this might include blood tests, an ambulatory monitor, echocardiogram or referral if needed.
A resting ECG is a good starting point, but if symptoms are intermittent a longer recording (for example 24‑hour or 7‑day monitoring) can be more revealing. We’ll discuss the best test for your situation.
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