A resting electrocardiogram (ECG), also called a rest ECG, is the most common type of ECG. It is a painless, non-invasive cardiac test that records the electrical activity of your heart while you are at rest. A resting ECG allows your cardiologist to instantaneously assess the electrical activity of your heart and complete an in-depth cardiac assessment.
The main purpose of a resting ECG is to measure the electrical activity in your heart. The sinus node (SAN) transmits electrical signals to different areas of your heart to keep the blood moving around your heart and the rest of your body properly. With each heartbeat, an electrical signal travels through your heart. An ECG measures these electrical signals and indicates whether your heart is beating at a normal rate and rhythm.
Although resting ECGs have a number of functions, they are most commonly used to diagnose arrhythmias and coronary heart disease and to detect a current or previous heart attack. You may be referred for a resting ECG if you experience any concerning symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations or dizziness, or if your doctor identified abnormalities during another medical test or examination.
A resting ECG provides the cardiologist with important information about:
· Your heart rate.
· The rhythm of your heart.
· The strength and timing of the electrical signals in your heart.
· Whether there is any enlargement or other changes in the size and positioning of the chambers of your heart.
· Whether you have had a heart attack and any damage that occurred as a result of the heart attack.
· Your overall heart health.
· The effectiveness of any existing medications, heart treatments or pacemakers.
A resting ECG is carried out while you are lying down in a comfortable position and your heart rate and breathing are stabilised. It is always carried out by a cardiologist, also known as a heart doctor. To ensure your heart rate is truly at rest, you will be asked to lie down and relax for at least two minutes before the cardiologist begins the test. Once the cardiologist is satisfied that you are relaxed, they will attach a number of electrodes to the skin on your chest and arms. These electrodes will then be connected to an ECG machine that records the electrical activity of your heart and shows any electrical changes or disturbances that are taking place. A resting ECG usually takes approximately 5 minutes, as this gives the cardiologist enough time to examine your heart rate in detail.
The cardiologist will then analyse your results and look for any irregularities or abnormalities in your heart rate or your heart’s electrical activity. Because an ECG records the exact pattern of your heart’s electrical activity, in most cases, a resting ECG provides preliminary information to allow the cardiologist to make a diagnosis. However, if symptoms are sporadic and intermittent, very likely you will need a prolonged ECG holter monitor.
