The ECG gives a recording of the electrical activity of the heart in a graph form. Each lead gives a view of the electrical activity of the heart from a particular angle across the body. The ECG reflects what is happening in different areas of the heart and helps identify abnormalities.
The ECG is painless and takes around 5-10 minutes to perform.
The following video from Glasgow University demonstrates the recording of an ECG. (6 minutes 30 seconds)
Page last reviewed: 21 May 2020
