What is an ECG and why is it included?
An ECG — short for electrocardiogram — is a non-invasive test that measures the electrical activity of your heart. Small electrodes are placed on the skin of your chest, arms, and legs, and the device records the electrical signals that travel through your heart with each beat. The result is a graph that allows a physician to assess the rhythm and function of your heart.
What can an ECG detect? An ECG can help identify a range of cardiac concerns, including:
- Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), such as atrial fibrillation
- Evidence of a previous or silent heart attack
- Enlargement of the heart
- Electrical conduction abnormalities that may increase the risk of future cardiac events
- Signs of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle
Many of these conditions can be entirely asymptomatic — meaning they develop without any obvious warning signs. An ECG provides a window into cardiac health that a standard physical examination cannot.
Why does HealthScreen include it? Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Australia. At HealthScreen, the ECG is included as part of the standard blood panel and cardiac screening component because it provides clinically valuable information that complements both your biomarker results and, where indicated, your CT calcium score.
An ECG alone does not provide a complete picture of cardiovascular risk — which is why it is paired at HealthScreen with a CT coronary calcium score, carotid Doppler ultrasound, and comprehensive cardiac biomarkers including cholesterol and CRP. Together, these tests give your physician a far more complete and accurate cardiovascular risk assessment than any single test could provide.
The ECG is a quick, painless, and radiation-free procedure that takes only a few minutes as part of your assessment day.