Electrocardiogram (ECG) - Tests for Heart Conditions
Private ECG tests in Wigan from £99, reported by a cardiologist with same-day results
What is an ECG (electrocardiogram)?
An electrocardiogram – usually shortened to ECG – is a quick, painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart. Small sticky electrodes are attached to your chest, arms and legs, and the machine traces your heart rate and rhythm onto a graph for a clinician to interpret. It is one of the fastest ways to look for an irregular heartbeat, or to gather baseline evidence about your heart before starting certain medications.
Private ECG test in Wigan and Standish
Ready Health is a private clinic based on Standish High Street, serving patients across Wigan, Greater Manchester and Lancashire. Our ECG appointments are available to anyone who needs an electrocardiogram, without waiting weeks for an answer.
Every ECG we carry out is reported by a cardiologist, so you get an immediate verbal overview on the day and a written report within 15-20 minutes. Results are sent to you by email and/or text so you can share them with any other healthcare providers involved in your care.
How much does a private ECG cost?
A private ECG at Ready Health costs £99, which covers your appointment, the test itself and a cardiologist-reported written result. We take pride in offering affordable private healthcare to residents of Standish, Wigan and beyond.
Private ECG vs NHS waiting times
The NHS offers ECG tests to everyone who medically needs one, whether they are actively experiencing cardiac symptoms or need their heart monitored. Waiting lists, however, can mean months of delay for a test that takes 10-20 minutes.
A referral to cardiology in some parts of the North West can take up to 23 weeks on the NHS, whereas a private ECG appointment can often be offered within a week to 14 days.
Choosing a private diagnostic test does not exclude you from NHS treatment in the future. It simply means you have your results sooner – although you may still have NHS waiting lists to contend with once your ECG is complete.
What happens during your ECG appointment
- One of our clinicians takes your details and the reasons for your visit.
- Electrodes are placed on your chest, arms and legs. Nothing is injected and there is no radiation involved.
- You rest for a few minutes while your heart’s electrical activity is recorded.
- A cardiologist reviews the trace, gives you a verbal summary and issues a written report within 15-20 minutes.
The test itself takes 10-20 minutes, you should not feel anything, and you can resume all normal activities as soon as it is over.
Who should consider booking an ECG?
- You have recently had symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations or unexplained breathlessness
- You have a known heart problem, or a condition that can affect your heart
- You are about to start taking a medication that requires cardiac monitoring
- You have a family history of coronary problems
- You would simply like reassurance about your heart health
If you are experiencing sudden or severe chest pain, call 999 rather than booking an appointment.
ECG or echocardiogram – which do you need?
The two tests sound alike but measure different things. An ECG records your heart’s electrical activity and rhythm, while an echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan that shows the structure of your heart, its valves and how well it is pumping. Some patients need both, and our clinicians can advise which is appropriate for your symptoms.
Related heart health services in Wigan
- Echocardiogram – ultrasound scan of the heart
- Cardiology consultations with Dr Dhawan
- Individual blood tests, including a cholesterol profile
- Comprehensive blood test packages
You may also find our guides to heart health screening and the silent symptoms of high blood pressure useful.
Private ECG Test FAQs
An ECG is an electrocardiogram test that checks activity like the rate and rhythm of your heart. This might be done if your doctor is checking for an abnormality, or to rule out certain conditions.
Most electrocardiograms are done while you’re resting or lying on a bed, but some referrals might ask for a stress ECG (where you’ll be monitored while you exercise), or an portable test that can read your heart activity over 24 hours or more at home.
At Ready Health, we provide in-clinic ECG tests for patients at our brand-new base in Standish.
Your test should take between 10-20 minutes to complete, with your appointment slow allowing enough time for one of our clinicians to take your details and reasons for visiting. It’s a painless procedure that involves a number of electrodes being placed on your body to record electrical signals and see how your heart is functioning.
You shouldn’t be able to feel anything during the test, and you can resume all normal activities as soon as it’s over.
Electrocardiogram tests are usually offered to people who are experiencing symptoms related to their heart’s health. While they’re often given in hospital, they can also be booked as an outpatient appointment to give an overview of how your heart is functioning if there are any concerns.
You might be asked to book an ECG if:
- You’ve been diagnosed with a condition that can affect your heart
- You’ve recently had symptoms like chest pain or palpitations
- You have a known heart problem
- You’re about to start taking certain medications
- You have a family history of coronary problems
Your ECG is reported by a cardiologist while you are still in clinic. You will get an immediate verbal overview and a written report within 15-20 minutes, sent to you by email and/or text so you can share it with any other healthcare providers involved in your treatment.
A private ECG at Ready Health costs £110. That price includes your appointment, the electrocardiogram itself and a written result reported by a cardiologist, so there is nothing further to arrange once the test is done.
An ECG (electrocardiogram) records the electrical activity of your heart to show its rate and rhythm. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan that looks at the structure of the heart, its valves and how well it is pumping blood. They answer different questions, and some patients are advised to have both.
No. An ECG is completely painless and involves no radiation and no injections. Small sticky electrodes are placed on your chest, arms and legs to pick up the electrical signals your heart already produces. You should not feel anything during the test and can return to normal activities straight away.
No single test can. An ECG is a snapshot of your heart’s electrical activity at the moment it is recorded, so an intermittent problem may not show up. If your symptoms suggest something an ECG cannot capture, our clinicians may recommend further investigation such as an echocardiogram, blood tests or a cardiology consultation.
Ready Health is based on Standish High Street, a short drive from Wigan, Standish, Shevington, Appley Bridge and the wider Greater Manchester and Lancashire area. Appointments can often be offered within a week to 14 days, rather than the months some NHS cardiology referrals take.
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Our electrocardiogram (ecg) - tests for heart conditions appointments are on set days depending on when independent clinicians available.