Electrocardiogram (ECG) test

Electrocardiogram

What is an electrocardiogram?

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of your child's heart on a graph.

The test gives the health-care provider information about:

• your child's heart rate
• any irregularity in the heart rhythm
• the size of the heart muscle

How is an ECG done?

The test takes about 10 minutes. It does not hurt.

A health-care provider will put 13 small stickers called electrodes on your child's arms, legs and chest. Each sticker has a wire attached to it.

Your child will need to lie down completely still for about one minute while the recording is taken.

The technologist will remove the stickers when the test is finished.

Getting the results

The information for the ECG can be printed out or it can be uploaded directly to a hospital chart to be reviewed by your child’s health-care team. A cardiologist (heart specialist) will read the ECG recording and will send a report to the health-care provider who ordered the test. Your child's health-care provider will discuss the results with you.