How to Prepare for an ECG

This is the most common ECG. You lie down, 10 stickers (electrodes) are placed on your chest, arms, and ankles, and the machine records for about 10 seconds. Painless. Total appointment time about 5–10 minutes.

✅ Do

Eat and drink normally — no fasting needed.
Take your regular medicines as usual, unless told otherwise.
Wear a top that’s easy to remove — a button-up shirt or T-shirt. You may be asked to remove your top during the test.
Have a normal shower or bath beforehand — clean, dry skin is best for the stickers.
Take a list of your current medicines if asked.

❌ Avoid

No moisturiser, body lotion, oil, or talcum powder on your chest on the day of the test — they stop the stickers sticking properly and can blur the trace.
No need to shave at home — the technician will trim small patches of chest hair if needed.
No tight jewellery over the chest area (metal can interfere).

In a stress ECG you walk on a treadmill (or pedal a bike) while your ECG, heart rate, and blood pressure are recorded. The aim is to see how your heart behaves under load. The test takes 30–60 minutes total, with the active part usually 8–15 minutes.

✅ Do

Eat a light meal 2–3 hours before — not on a completely empty stomach, but not a heavy meal either.
Wear comfortable, loose clothing and flat walking/running shoes (sneakers).
Bring a list of your current medicines.
Bring your reliever inhaler if you have asthma or COPD.
Have a normal shower beforehand — clean skin, no moisturiser/oil on the chest.

❌ Avoid

No caffeine for 24 hours beforehand — this includes coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, and decaf (still has some caffeine). Caffeine affects the heart rate response.
No smoking or vaping for at least 2 hours before (ideally 24 hours).
No alcohol for 24 hours before.
No heavy meal within 2 hours of the test.
Do not stop your regular heart medicines unless your doctor specifically tells you to. Some are paused before the test — only if instructed.

Resting ECG

1. You lie down on a bed and remove (or lift) your top.
2. 10 small sticky pads (electrodes) are placed on your chest, arms, and ankles. The technician may trim chest hair under one or two stickers.
3. The machine records for about 10 seconds. You stay still and breathe normally.
4. The stickers come off — this can sting a little, like a plaster.
5. You can go straight back to normal activities.

Exercise (stress) ECG

1. You change into clothes for exercise. Stickers are placed on your chest.
2. A baseline ECG and blood pressure are recorded while you stand still.
3. You walk on a treadmill (or pedal a bike). The speed and incline increase every few minutes.
4. The test stops when you reach a target heart rate, become too tired, or develop chest pain or other symptoms.
5. Your heart is monitored for several minutes afterwards while it returns to normal.

Will the test hurt?

No. The stickers are painless going on. Removing them can sting a little — like pulling off a plaster — especially if you have chest hair. Otherwise the test is painless.

Do I need to shave my chest?

No, you do not need to shave at home. If chest hair is in the way of the stickers, the technician will trim small patches on the day with a single-use razor. This is much smaller than fully shaving the chest.

Is an ECG safe in pregnancy?

Yes. A resting ECG uses no radiation and no electricity goes into your body — the machine only records the signals coming out. It is safe at any stage of pregnancy. A stress ECG is usually avoided in pregnancy unless there is a strong clinical reason.

Does an ECG cost anything?

At a bulk-billing GP practice, usually no out-of-pocket cost for a standard resting ECG. A specialist-performed stress ECG may have a gap fee — ask the cardiology service when you book.

When will I get the result?

The trace is usually available immediately. A formal cardiologist report (if required) often follows within a few days. Your GP will discuss the result with you at your follow-up appointment.