ECG in resting state

General

A Resting ECG:

• is performed by either a Registered Nurse or a General Practitioner
• generally takes about 20 minutes to complete
• may be conducted in a medical clinic, or at the applicant's home or workplace depending on location and availability of qualified Pathrec personnel

A resting ECG is carried out to measure the heart's rhythm, rate, conduction disturbances, the presence of any myocardial ischaemia, infarction, enlargement of the cardiac chamber, hypothermia and cardiac drugs, when the applicant is in a resting state.

The choice Registered Nurse or a General Practitioner depends on the accompanying tests and the location of the applicant.

Procedure

This test must be performed whilst the applicant is lying down. Ideally an ECG should not be performed near computers, mobile phones or any electrical equipment which can interfere with the recording.

Privacy is paramount and if conducting this test in a workplace, privacy must be guaranteed. The room available for the examination must have a door which can be locked, to prevent unexpected intrusions.

Electrodes are placed on the applicant's chest (6 around the heart) and one each on wrists and ankles. Some men may require shaving in the spots where electrodes need to be placed. It is imperative that the electrode adheres to the skin during this test.

Preparation

As the upper body needs to be exposed for placement of the electrodes, it is recommended that applicants wear clothing that can be easily removed.