LONDON CARDIOVASCULAR CLINIC

The London Cardiovascular Clinic is a leading private cardiology clinic that offers personalised and expert cardiovascular treatment for a diverse range of symptoms. London Cardiovascular Clinic offers a complete private cardiology treatment with onsite non invasive laboratory. Resting Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple test which is commonly used for basic evaluation of cardiac status. It records intrinsic electrical activity of the heart by placing electrodes on the limbs and chest. The recorded signals provide useful information regarding previous damage to the heart muscles, enlargement of heart chambers and abnormalities in the electrical system of the heart. The ECG is used in diagnosis and initial management of acute heart attack and palpitations.

A normal resting ECG does not rule out a heart problem. Although the resting Electrocardiogram (ECG) can detect and demonstrate to the cardiologist a number of abnormalities, the presence of a normal resting ECG does not rule out the possibility of significant coronary artery disease. A much more appropriate way to look at this is with dynamic or Exercise Treadmill/Bike Testing. The Stress Test is conducted in a closely supervised situation. You will be attached to the ECG recording monitor just as you were for the resting electrocardiogram.

However, you will then sit on a bike or stand on a treadmill, which will begin to move very slowly. Progressively, as you become accustomed to the pace, the workload will be incremented. All the time, the technicians will be monitoring your heart rate, blood pressure and looking carefully at the ECG for any changes. Typically, in an individual who has Coronary Artery Disease, as the workload increases and their hearts oxygen consumption increases, certain changes begin to appear on the ECG. These changes correlate closely with hardening of the arteries.