Private ECG Birmingham
Electrocardiogram (ECG) in Birmingham
Private ECG test in Birmingham, £70
A resting 12-lead ECG at our Kings Heath clinic, recorded in minutes and read by a doctor. No GP referral needed. Same-day and next-day appointments are usually available.
Includes: the 12-lead tracing, a doctor's interpretation at your appointment and a written report emailed to you, with a copy for your GP if you want one.
Book an ECG online- No referral needed
- 20-minute appointment
- Doctor-reported
- CQC-registered clinic
- On-site parking
What an ECG test checks
An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of your heart. Ten small stickers on your chest, arms and legs pick up the signal, and the machine prints a tracing of every beat. From that tracing a doctor can see:
- Your heart rhythm: whether it is regular, too fast, too slow, or shows an irregular rhythm such as atrial fibrillation
- Signs of a past heart attack or of strain on the heart muscle
- Thickening of the heart muscle, which can follow years of high blood pressure
- Conduction problems: delays in the way the electrical signal travels through the heart
It is painless, takes about five minutes to record, and involves no radiation and no needles.
When to have one
- Palpitations, a racing or fluttering heart, or missed beats
- Chest pain or tightness, especially on exertion
- Breathlessness, dizziness or fainting
- High blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of heart disease, as part of a heart check
- Before starting a new sport or training programme, or when a gym, employer or insurer asks for one
- When a pre-operation, driver, aviation or visa medical requires an ECG
What happens at your appointment
- Book online and pick a time. The appointment is 20 minutes.
- Lie down and relax. The stickers go on your chest, wrists and ankles. You will be asked to keep still for a few minutes while the tracing records.
- The doctor reads it with you. Dr Ibrar Ahmed, who holds a PhD in cardiovascular medicine, explains what the tracing shows before you leave.
- Written report by email, usually the same day and within 24 hours. If anything needs following up, the next step is arranged at the same visit.
How to prepare
- No fasting and no need to stop any medication. Bring a list of what you take.
- Wear a top that is easy to remove. Avoid oily lotion or moisturiser on your chest that morning, as the stickers need dry skin.
- Arrive a few minutes early so your heart rate has settled.
ECG at home
If travelling to the clinic is difficult, or you would rather be checked where you are, we can bring the ECG to you. A doctor visits with a portable 12-lead ECG, records the tracing, reads it with you there and then, and emails the written report. The same standard as the clinic, in your own home.
- For patients who cannot travel, are unwell at home, or want reassurance without a clinic visit
- GP-led visit, recording and interpretation in one appointment
- Blood tests can be taken at the same visit
ECG at home: £250, including the doctor's visit, the 12-lead recording, interpretation on the spot and the written report. Home visits are arranged by phone or WhatsApp rather than online: 07777 238 999. Any blood tests added are charged at the clinic's list prices.
If the ECG is normal, or if it is not
A normal resting ECG is reassuring, but it only shows the heart at rest. It cannot rule out angina, which shows itself during exertion, and it cannot see the heart's structure or pumping strength. That is why we offer the full ladder of heart tests in one clinic, so the right next test is a booking away rather than a referral away.
Want blood tests at the same visit? Book the ECG together with a cholesterol profile, an HbA1c or a full heart-health panel through the blood-test booking, with no extra blood-draw fee at the Birmingham clinic.
Questions people ask
How much does a private ECG cost in Birmingham?
£70 at OneMedicine. That covers the 12-lead recording, the doctor's interpretation at the appointment and a written report by email. There is no consultation fee on top and no referral fee.
Do I need a GP referral for an ECG?
No. You can book directly online and choose a time that suits you. If you would like your NHS GP to receive a copy of the report, tell us at the appointment and we will send it.
How long does an ECG test take?
The recording itself takes about five minutes. The whole appointment, including the doctor explaining the result, is 20 minutes.
Can I get an ECG the same day?
Usually, yes. The online booking shows live appointment times at the Kings Heath clinic, and same-day or next-day slots are normally available.
When do I get the result?
The doctor goes through the tracing with you at the appointment, so you leave knowing what it showed. The written report is emailed within 24 hours, usually the same day.
What if the ECG is abnormal?
The doctor explains what has been found and what it means. Depending on the result, the next step may be a blood test, a 24-hour monitor, an echocardiogram, an exercise treadmill test or an appointment with our consultant cardiologist, Prof Jawad Khan. All of these can be booked at the same clinic, and we write to your GP with your consent.
Does a normal ECG mean my heart is fine?
A normal resting ECG rules out many rhythm and conduction problems and makes a recent heart attack very unlikely. It does not rule out narrowed heart arteries, which usually only show during exercise, or valve and pumping problems, which need an echocardiogram. If you have symptoms on exertion, an exercise treadmill test is the right next test.
OneMedicine, 1 High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7AR. Opposite Kings Heath railway station, on-site parking. CQC-registered.
