A private ECG (electrocardiogram) at Victoria Medical in Victoria, London SW1V is a quick, painless 12-lead heart rhythm test reviewed by a consultant cardiologist. It records the electrical activity of your heart and can detect arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and signs of ischaemia. Same-day appointments are available and no GP referral is required.
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, every ECG is reviewed by our consultant cardiologist, Dr George Xynopoulos MD MRCP FACC. The result is not simply printed and handed to you — it is interpreted in clinical context, with findings discussed at your appointment and a formal written report provided the same day.
ECG appointments are available as a standalone test or as part of a cardiology consultation. The clinic is 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
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 any other test. It is the first-line investigation for a wide range of cardiac symptoms and is included as standard in every cardiology consultation at Victoria Medical.
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 at Victoria Medical is a quick, entirely painless procedure. No preparation is required — you do not need to fast, stop any medications, or make any special arrangements before your appointment.
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 for approximately 10 seconds while the machine records the electrical signals. The electrodes are then removed. There is no discomfort and no electrical current passes through your body.
The trace is reviewed immediately by our consultant cardiologist. If the ECG is performed as part of a cardiology consultation, the findings are discussed in the context of your full clinical assessment. If booked as a standalone test, a written report is provided and, where clinically indicated, a follow-up consultation is recommended.
| 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 | The trace is reviewed by Dr Xynopoulos immediately |
| Results | Findings discussed at your appointment. Written report provided the same day |
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 — it is the primary tool for diagnosing arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and signs of ischaemia. It takes 5 minutes and is included in every cardiology consultation at Victoria Medical.
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 | Yes — included in every cardiology consultation | Separate investigation |
| Radiation | None | None (ultrasound) |
| Best for | Palpitations, arrhythmia, chest pain, pre-op assessment | Breathlessness, murmur, heart failure monitoring, structural disease |
ECG Pricing
ECG fees at Victoria Medical are transparent and published in full. The cardiologist review and written report are included in the ECG price.
Prices shown are indicative. All fees are confirmed at the time of booking. Cardiologist review and written report included. We accept all major credit and debit cards and provide itemised invoices for insurance claims.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| 12-Lead ECG (standalone, with cardiologist report) | From £75 |
| ECG included in Cardiology Consultation | Included — no additional charge |
| ECG + Cardiology Consultation (combined) | From £295 |
| Follow-up Cardiology Consultation (to review ECG findings) | From £175 |
How to Book Your Private ECG Test
ECG tests can be booked as a standalone investigation or as part of a cardiology consultation. If you have not yet seen a cardiologist and are experiencing cardiac symptoms, we recommend booking a cardiology consultation — the ECG is performed as part of the consultation at no additional charge.
Use our online booking system to view real-time availability and select a convenient time. The clinic is 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 required. Book online or by phone. The appointment takes 15–20 minutes and no special preparation is needed.
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 process is quick and entirely painless.
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
Dr Xynopoulos reviews the trace immediately and discusses the findings with you. A formal written report is provided the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
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