The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a quick and simple yet extremely useful and important test that records and graphically represents the electrical activity of the heart, closely related to the contractions and relaxations through which the cardiac muscle performs its function of pumping blood.

The ECG is performed at rest, with the patient lying on a bed in our dedicated room. Adhesive electrode pads are applied to the patient’s skin and connected via electrical cables to a device called an electrocardiograph. The electrodes detect and transmit the heart’s electrical activity to the electrocardiograph, which processes it into a graphic trace (electrocardiogram). Upon request, this trace can be promptly sent to a cardiologist for interpretation.

The test can be performed on both adults and children, lasts only a few minutes, and allows the detection of heart rate as well as possible arrhythmias and/or changes in the size of the heart chambers. The specialist’s report is sent within 6 hours, and the patient may also collect it directly at the pharmacy.

The device used is a state-of-the-art professional 12-lead, 10-cable electrocardiograph.
The service costs €20 for the tracing only, and €30 including the cardiologist’s report. In urgent cases, patients may request an express report (within 1 hour) at a cost of €50.
Express reporting is available only from Monday to Friday, 9:00–13:00 and 16:00–20:00, and on Saturdays from 9:00–13:00.

An appointment is required and can be booked online or by phone.
The ECG interpretation is performed remotely by specialist cardiologists from LifeCare Italia