Health hub
Patient Guide
Preparing for Your First ECG: What to Expect
Nervous about your upcoming electrocardiogram? Here's the simple, painless process step by step.
Sarah F.2 min read
An Electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of your heart. It's quick, completely painless, and can detect everything from arrhythmias to early signs of a heart attack.
What happens during an ECG
- You lie down on an examination bed.
- A technician places 10 small sticky electrodes on your chest, arms and legs.
- The machine records for about 10 seconds.
- The electrodes come off. That's it — start to finish, usually under 5 minutes.
There's no electricity going into your body. The machine just listens.
How to prepare
- No fasting required. Eat and drink normally.
- Skip heavy meals and caffeine an hour before — they can briefly affect heart rate.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Avoid lotions or oils on your chest that day.
- Bring any past ECGs or doctor's referral you have.
When you'll get results
At St. Luke's we provide a printed trace immediately and a digital report within 24 hours, ready to share with your physician.
Book your ECG
ECG is available at our Ja-Ela lab — walk in or call 071 123 1954 to reserve a time. See the full price list for cardiac and other tests.
