A private ECG (electrocardiogram) at Victoria Medical in Victoria, London SW1V records the electrical activity of your heart and can help assess rhythm or conduction concerns in the appropriate clinical context. It is generally well tolerated; appointment availability, reporting and follow-up arrangements are confirmed at booking. No GP referral is needed for most services.
An ECG — electrocardiogram — is the most fundamental cardiac investigation. It records the electrical signals that control each heartbeat, producing a trace that reveals how your heart is functioning electrically. The 12-lead ECG used at Victoria Medical captures the heart's electrical activity from twelve different perspectives simultaneously, providing a comprehensive picture of cardiac rhythm and conduction.
At Victoria Medical, ECG findings are considered in clinical context. The clinic confirms the reporting and follow-up arrangements for the selected pathway at booking.
An ECG may be arranged as a standalone test or as part of a cardiology consultation. The clinic confirms the appropriate route, availability and any preparation requirements at booking. We are at 170 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1DX — two minutes from Victoria Station.
Written & reviewed by
Dr George XynopoulosMD, MRCP, FACC — Consultant Cardiologist & Founder, Victoria Medical · Reviewed by Dr George Xynopoulos, Consultant Cardiologist
Clinical review date: 22 August 2026
View full profileWhat an ECG Can Detect
A 12-lead ECG provides information about the electrical activity of the heart that cannot be obtained from an ultrasound scan alone. Whether it is appropriate depends on your symptoms, history and clinical assessment.
Harskamp et al. (2019) confirmed in a primary care study that ECG abnormalities are independently associated with cardiovascular events, making the resting 12-lead ECG an essential screening tool for patients with cardiac risk factors or unexplained symptoms.[5]
| Condition | What the ECG Shows |
|---|---|
| Atrial fibrillation (AF) | Absent P waves, irregularly irregular rhythm — the most common sustained arrhythmia |
| Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) | Narrow-complex tachycardia — a common cause of palpitations in younger patients |
| Ventricular tachycardia (VT) | Broad-complex tachycardia — requires urgent assessment |
| Heart block | First-, second-, and third-degree AV block — conduction delays between atria and ventricles |
| Bundle branch block | Left or right BBB — may indicate underlying structural heart disease |
| Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) | Voltage criteria — associated with hypertension and cardiomyopathy |
| Ischaemia and infarction | ST-segment changes, T-wave inversion, Q waves — signs of coronary artery disease |
| Long QT syndrome | Prolonged QTc interval — risk factor for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia |
| Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) | Delta wave and short PR interval — accessory pathway causing tachycardia |
| Pericarditis | Widespread saddle-shaped ST elevation — inflammation of the pericardium |
When Should You Have an ECG?
A 12-lead ECG is the recommended first investigation for several common cardiac symptoms. Clinical guidelines from the European Heart Rhythm Association and the ACC/AHA specify that a 12-lead ECG should be performed in all patients presenting with palpitations, and in any patient with chest pain in whom a cardiac cause cannot be excluded.[3]
Govender et al. (2022) confirmed in a primary care review that a 12-lead ECG is appropriate in all patients presenting with palpitations at the time of symptoms, as it provides the most clinically useful information for guiding further investigation.[1] Ribero-Vargas et al. (2025) similarly concluded that every patient with palpitations should have a complete history, physical examination, and 12-lead ECG as the minimum baseline assessment.[2]
The 2024 AHA/ACC perioperative guidelines recommend a preoperative 12-lead ECG in patients with known coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, or peripheral arterial disease undergoing intermediate- or high-risk surgery.[6]
- Palpitations — awareness of an abnormal, fast, or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain or chest tightness — to exclude ischaemia and arrhythmia
- Breathlessness — particularly on exertion or at rest
- Dizziness, presyncope, or blackouts (syncope)
- Known or suspected atrial fibrillation — for rhythm confirmation and ventricular rate
- Hypertension — to assess for left ventricular hypertrophy
- Pre-operative cardiac assessment before elective surgery
- Monitoring of known cardiac conditions (heart failure, valve disease, arrhythmia)
- Cardiac screening as part of a health check or executive screening programme
- Medication monitoring — drugs that prolong the QT interval (e.g. amiodarone, some antibiotics)
- Family history of sudden cardiac death, cardiomyopathy, or long QT syndrome
What to Expect During Your ECG
A 12-lead ECG is generally well tolerated. Preparation is usually simple, but please follow any individual instructions confirmed at booking, particularly if you have a skin sensitivity or are attending for a wider assessment.
Ten small adhesive electrodes are placed on the skin of your chest, wrists and ankles. You will be asked to lie still and breathe normally while the machine records the electrical signals. The electrodes are then removed; no electrical current is passed into your body.
A clinician considers the trace in its clinical context. The clinic confirms the reporting and follow-up route for the selected pathway at booking and after clinical review.
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Preparation | No fasting required. Continue all medications as normal. Wear clothing that allows easy access to the chest and ankles |
| Duration | 5–10 minutes for the recording |
| Procedure | Ten adhesive electrodes placed on chest, wrists, and ankles. You lie still for 10 seconds while the trace is recorded |
| Cardiologist review | Clinical review and result route are confirmed for the selected pathway |
| Results | The clinic confirms reporting and follow-up arrangements at booking |
ECG vs Echocardiogram — Which Do You Need?
An ECG and an echocardiogram are complementary investigations that provide fundamentally different information. They are not interchangeable, and in many clinical situations both are required.
An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart and can help assess arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities and signs that need further evaluation. Whether it is appropriate alongside a consultation depends on the clinical question.
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart — it provides structural and mechanical information about the heart's chambers, walls, and valves. It answers the question 'what does the heart look like and how well is it pumping?' rather than 'what is the electrical activity of the heart?'
Taggar et al. (2015) demonstrated in a systematic review that the 12-lead ECG achieves a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 97% for the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation — making it the gold-standard first-line investigation for suspected AF.[4]
| Feature | ECG | Echocardiogram |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Electrical activity of the heart | Structure and mechanical function |
| Duration | 5–10 minutes | 30–45 minutes |
| Information provided | Rhythm, conduction, ischaemia, QT interval | Chamber size, wall motion, valve function, ejection fraction |
| Included in consultation | May be used when clinically appropriate | Separate investigation |
| Radiation | None | None (ultrasound) |
| Best for | Palpitations, arrhythmia, chest pain, pre-op assessment | Breathlessness, murmur, heart failure monitoring, structural disease |
ECG Pricing
Current ECG fees are published on the Pricing page. The clinic confirms the appropriate assessment, reporting route and any follow-up arrangements at booking.
The Pricing page is the current public fee source. The clinic confirms applicable fees, reporting and any follow-up arrangements before booking.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| ECG pathway | See Pricing page |
| ECG and cardiology assessment pathway | See Pricing page |
How to Book Your Private ECG Test
ECG tests may be booked as a standalone investigation or as part of a cardiology consultation. If you are unsure which route fits your symptoms, contact the clinic or book a cardiology consultation to discuss the appropriate assessment.
Use our online booking system or call the clinic to discuss a suitable appointment. The clinic confirms availability, applicable fees, reporting and follow-up arrangements at booking. We are at 170 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1DX — two minutes from Victoria Station and five minutes from Pimlico Station.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Book Your ECG
No GP referral needed for most services. Book online or by phone. The clinic confirms the suitable appointment route, preparation and timing at booking.
Arrive at Victoria Medical
Our clinic is at 170 Vauxhall Bridge Road, two minutes from Victoria Station. You will be asked to remove clothing from the upper body.
Electrode Placement
Ten small adhesive electrodes are placed on your chest, wrists and ankles. The recording is generally well tolerated; let the clinician know if you have skin sensitivity or feel uncomfortable.
The Recording
You lie still for 10 seconds while the machine records your heart's electrical activity from 12 different perspectives simultaneously.
Cardiologist Review and Report
The clinic confirms the reporting and follow-up arrangements for the selected pathway at booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
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