ECG / EKG
A 10-second recording of your heart’s electrical activity - showing rhythm, rate and signs of strain or past damage.
TypeElectrical heart test
HowStickers on your chest, arms and legs. Lie still for a few minutes. Painless.
How oftenWhen you have symptoms, or as a baseline before hard training.
BeforeAvoid lotion on your chest.
WhoPeople with palpitations, dizziness, chest symptoms, or starting intense exercise.
A snapshot of your heart’s electrical rhythm
Every heartbeat starts with an electrical signal. An ECG records it through stickers on your chest, showing rhythm, rate and signs of strain or past damage. It’s quick - but only captures the moment it’s recorded.
Resting ECG
“Is my rhythm normal right now?”
Ten seconds at rest. Good as a baseline and for ongoing problems.
Snapshot
Watch ECG
“What happened when I felt it?”
Smartwatch recordings capture symptoms as they happen.
On demand
Rhythm monitor
“What happens over days?”
A wearable patch records every beat for days to weeks.
Best for symptoms that come and go
Is it right for you?
Worth considering if…
- You notice palpitations, a racing or skipping heartbeat.
- You feel dizzy or have fainted.
- You’re about to start intense training, especially over 35.
- You’re starting a medication that can affect heart rhythm.
A better option if…
- Symptoms come and go - a heart rhythm monitor worn for days is more likely to catch them.
- You feel fine with no risk factors - routine ECG screening isn’t recommended.
- You want to know about plaque - see calcium score.
How it’s measured
12-lead resting ECG
The standard clinic test - a full electrical picture in minutes.
Smartwatch ECG
Single-lead. Useful for catching AFib when symptoms happen, not a full ECG.
The full picture
What is it?
A recording of the electrical signals that make your heart beat.
What type of test is it?
An electrical heart-rhythm test.
What does it measure?
Heart rate, rhythm, how signals travel through the heart, and patterns suggesting strain, thickening or a past heart attack.
Why might someone consider it?
It’s fast, cheap and painless, and can explain symptoms like palpitations.
Who is it most relevant for?
Anyone with heart symptoms, and athletes wanting a baseline.
How is it performed?
Ten small electrodes are placed on your skin while you lie still for a minute or two.
How often might it be considered?
When symptoms appear, or as a one-off baseline.
What can the result help you understand?
Whether your heart rhythm and electrical pattern are normal at that moment.
What are its limitations?
It captures only a few seconds, so intermittent problems can be missed; a normal ECG doesn’t rule out blocked arteries.
What should it be viewed with?
Symptoms, thyroid function, electrolytes, and a longer rhythm monitor or echocardiogram if needed.
Where to get it
Through your provider
A referral to cardiology or a hospital heart centre.
Cardiology clinics
Most offer this test on site.
Imaging & hospital centres
Some accept self-referral - check coverage first.
Names are examples only, not endorsements. Your provider can often order the same test - and help interpret it.
Connected to
Questions to ask your provider
- Could my symptoms be a rhythm problem?
- Would a longer monitor catch more?
- Is my ECG normal for someone who trains?
Ziva Health
One test is a snapshot. Ziva shows the whole story.
Ziva brings your lab results, wearables and daily readings together - and Isabella tells you what’s changing and what to ask your provider next.
Refer Ziva to my provider / care team
Is your provider not on Ziva yet? Send them a link in under a minute - once they join, they’ll see your ECG / EKG result alongside your other trends and get alerts directly.
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Bring your Ziva 30-day report to your next appointment - your ECG / EKG result and daily trends in one view, so the conversation starts with the full picture.
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Being listed doesn’t mean everyone needs this test. Educational only — not medical advice. Results should be interpreted with a qualified clinician. ← Back to Know What to Test