ECG for ADHD medication, done at your home or workplace
A 12-lead ECG reported by a consultant cardiologist, giving your ADHD clinic the heart check it needs before stimulant medication is considered. No hospital trip and no waiting for a GP appointment.
- Consultant cardiologist report
- At home or at work
- No GP referral needed
- Referred by a CQC-registered clinic
What is an ECG for ADHD medication? It is a short, painless recording of your heart’s electrical activity that many ADHD clinics ask for before a patient starts stimulant medication. At Ready Health you can book one for £99: we refer you to Palpify, whose clinician performs a 12-lead ECG at your home or workplace, and a consultant cardiologist reports it. You receive a written report to share with your ADHD clinic or prescriber.
How it works
From booking to report, everything is arranged for you. You never need to sit in a waiting room.
Book online
Choose the ECG for ADHD medication and pay £99 securely through our booking system.
We refer you
Ready Health sends your referral to Palpify, our specialist ECG partner.
Agree a visit
Palpify contacts you to arrange a time at your home or workplace.
Have your ECG
A trained clinician records a resting 12-lead ECG. It takes just a few minutes.
Get your report
A consultant cardiologist reports the ECG and you receive a written report to give to your ADHD clinic.
Why ADHD clinics ask for an ECG
Stimulant medicines used for ADHD can raise heart rate and blood pressure. A baseline ECG gives your prescriber a clear record of your heart rhythm before treatment begins, and helps spot uncommon conditions that would need a closer look first.
NICE guidance (NG87) does not require an ECG for everyone before ADHD medication. It recommends one where there is a clinical reason. Even so, many private ADHD clinics, online ADHD services and shared-care arrangements ask for an ECG as part of their safety checks, and getting one through a GP surgery can take time.
That is the gap this service fills: a properly reported ECG, quickly, wherever suits you.
Speak to a doctor first if you have
- Chest pain, or fainting during exercise or after a sudden fright
- Shortness of breath on exertion compared with people your age
- Sudden, fast, regular palpitations
- A known heart condition or previous heart surgery
- A close relative who died suddenly from a heart problem before age 40
These may need a full cardiology assessment rather than an ECG alone, so tell your ADHD clinician. If you have chest pain now, call 999.
What your cardiologist report covers
Your ECG is not just printed and handed over. A consultant cardiologist reviews the full tracing and writes a report your ADHD clinician can act on.
- Rhythm and heart rate: whether your heart is beating in a normal rhythm at a normal rate.
- Key intervals: PR, QRS and QT/QTc measurements, which prescribers look at closely.
- Any abnormal findings: explained clearly, with advice on whether further tests are needed.
- A clear summary: a comment on anything that needs attention before stimulant medication is considered.
Compared with waiting for your GP
| Ready Health + Palpify | GP route | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Your home or workplace | GP surgery or hospital |
| Reported by | Consultant cardiologist | Varies by practice |
| Getting started | Book online today | Depends on appointment availability |
| Report for your ADHD clinic | Sent to you in writing | May need requesting |
| Cost | £99 | Usually free |
Our ECG partner, Palpify
Palpify provides mobile ECG testing with consultant cardiologist reporting, and supports a growing number of healthcare providers across the UK, including ADHD services and private clinics. Ready Health refers patients to Palpify so you can get a high-quality, cardiologist-reported ECG without travelling.
Book your ECG for ADHD medication
Create your referral below and pay £99. Palpify will then contact you to arrange your home or workplace visit. Online booking is for adults aged 18 and over.
Booking form not loading? Open our booking page or call 01257 676 001.
ECG for ADHD medication: your questions answered
Do I need an ECG before starting ADHD medication?
Not everyone does. NICE guidance (NG87) says an ECG is not needed routinely before ADHD medication unless there is a clinical reason, such as a heart condition, worrying symptoms or a medicine that can affect the QT interval. In practice, many private ADHD clinics and shared-care arrangements ask for a baseline ECG before stimulant medication is started, so check what your own clinic or prescriber requires.
How much does an ECG for ADHD medication cost at Ready Health?
£99. This includes your referral from Ready Health, the visit to your home or workplace, a 12-lead ECG and a written report by a consultant cardiologist. There are no extra travel or reporting fees.
Who carries out the ECG?
Your ECG is carried out by Palpify, a specialist ECG service that Ready Health refers patients to. A trained Palpify clinician comes to you, records the ECG, and the tracing is then reported by a consultant cardiologist.
Can the ECG really be done at home or at work?
Yes. The ECG equipment is portable, so the test can be done anywhere private with space to lie down, such as your home or a quiet room at work. You do not need to visit a hospital or your GP surgery.
How long does the ECG take?
The recording itself takes only a few minutes. Allow around 15 to 20 minutes for the whole visit, including a short explanation and placing the stickers on your chest, wrists and ankles.
What does the consultant cardiologist report include?
The report covers your heart rhythm and rate, the key ECG measurements including the PR, QRS and QT intervals, and any abnormal findings. The cardiologist comments on whether anything on the ECG needs further attention before stimulant medication is considered.
Will my ADHD clinic accept the report?
Most ADHD clinics and prescribers accept a 12-lead ECG reported by a consultant cardiologist. Requirements vary, so we recommend checking with your clinic or clinician before you book.
Which ADHD medicines is this ECG relevant to?
It is most often requested before stimulant medicines such as methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine or dexamfetamine. Some prescribers also ask for an ECG before non-stimulant options such as atomoxetine. Your prescriber decides which medicine is suitable for you.
Does Ready Health prescribe ADHD medication?
No. This service provides the ECG and cardiologist report only. The decision to start, and the prescribing of, any ADHD medication remains with your ADHD clinic or prescriber.
What happens if my ECG is abnormal?
Your report will explain any finding in plain terms. Some changes are harmless, while others may mean your prescriber wants further tests or a cardiology review before treatment. If you need more investigations, such as an echocardiogram or a consultant cardiology appointment, Ready Health can talk you through private options.
When should I see a doctor rather than just book an ECG?
Tell your ADHD clinician, or speak to a doctor, if you have chest pain, fainting on exertion, shortness of breath on exertion, sudden fast palpitations, a known heart condition, or a close relative who died suddenly from a heart problem before the age of 40. These may need a full cardiology assessment, not an ECG alone. If you have chest pain now, call 999.
How do I prepare for my ECG?
Wear a top you can easily remove or lift, avoid applying body lotion or oil to your chest on the day, and take your usual medicines as normal. Let the clinician know if you have a pacemaker or any heart condition.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. When you book with Ready Health we arrange the referral to Palpify for you, so you do not need a GP appointment or a referral letter.
Is this service available for under-18s?
Online booking is for adults aged 18 and over. If you are arranging an ECG for a young person, please call us on 01257 676 001 to discuss whether the service is suitable.
Get the ECG your ADHD clinic needs
A consultant cardiologist-reported ECG at your home or workplace for £99, ready to share with your ADHD clinic.
Related services
This page is for general information and does not replace advice from your own clinician. The ECG report supports, but does not replace, your ADHD prescriber’s decision about treatment. Ready Health does not prescribe ADHD medication through this service. Page last reviewed 11 October 2026.