ECG Heart Check (12‑lead)
10 minutes • Consultant cardiologist report • Great as baseline / Cardio MOT add-on
Your heart’s rhythm can say a lot about your overall health. A quick heart check can provide reassurance or highlight when further assessment might be helpful.
Whether you’re adding an ECG to your routine Health Check or booking it as a stand‑alone test, The Forbury Clinic offers calm, consultant‑led care designed around you.
What is an ECG?
An ECG (electrocardiogram) is a quick, painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart.
At The Forbury Clinic, we offer a resting 12 lead ECG as part of our proactive health screening programmes, or as a stand alone assessment if you have noticed symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, breathlessness, dizziness, or reduced exercise tolerance.
We believe that early insight leads to better care and greater peace of mind, and this simple test can offer both.
What’s included with your ECG Heart Check
• Brief pre-test chat and medical history
• Blood pressure and pulse check
• Resting 12-lead ECG recorded in clinic
• Consultant Cardiologist interpretation and signed report (PDF)
• Copy of your ECG and report for your records and, with your consent, for your GP
• Clear summary of next steps if follow-up is advised
• Option to book a Private GP appointment to discuss results
What your ECG can show
Your heart works through tiny electrical signals that keep it beating in a steady rhythm. A 12‑lead ECG records those signals from different angles, helping our clinicians identify patterns that may need further exploration.
A screening ECG can highlight:
• Irregular heart rhythms (such as atrial fibrillation or extra beats)
• Conduction changes that affect how signals travel through the heart
• Evidence of previous silent heart damage or restricted blood flow
• Signs of chamber enlargement or strain (linked to long‑term blood pressure or training load)
• Electrical changes from some medications
While an ECG does not diagnose every type of heart disease, it often provides useful clues and a baseline for future comparison.
Who benefits most from a heart check
An ECG is a valuable part of preventive care and may be particularly helpful if you:
Want a baseline heart record as part of a Health Check or MOT.
Have a family history of heart disease or sudden cardiac death
Live with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes
Train intensively and would like a cardiovascular baseline for sport
Smoke or vape and want to understand how your heart is responding
Are asked to provide ECG evidence or occupational screening or insurance paperwork
Are starting medication that requires baseline cardiovascular monitoring
Are experiencing occasional palpitations, mild dizziness or shortness of breath and want early reassurance about your heart rhythm
What to expect on the day
Your appointment is straightforward and takes around ten minutes. We will begin by checking your blood pressure and pulse, then place a series of small, painless sensors on your chest, arms and legs. You simply lie back and relax while the machine records your heart’s electrical activity.
After the test, your ECG trace is reviewed by a Consultant Cardiologist, who provides a specialist report. You will receive a copy of this report for your records, and if you would like to discuss the results, one of our Private GPs can review them with you in detail. They can advise on blood tests or additional investigations, such as echocardiography, or arrange referral to a Consultant Cardiologist for further care.
Understanding the limitations
An ECG captures a single moment in time. A normal trace is usually reassuring, but it does not rule out every heart condition – especially those that cause intermittent symptoms.
What happens if we find an abnormality on your ECG
If your ECG shows changes that may need attention, our GP will call you to explain the findings in plain English and answer your questions. Depending on what is seen, we may arrange follow‑up tests such as a 24 to 72 hour Holter monitor or an event recorder to catch intermittent rhythm changes, an echocardiogram to assess heart structure and pumping function, and blood tests where appropriate.
If specialist input is needed, we will organise a referral to a Consultant Cardiologist. With your permission, we can also share your results with your NHS or private GP to support joined‑up care.
Booking your ECG
You can book an ECG as a stand-alone appointment or add it to your Forbury Health Check or MOT as a Cardio add-on. Our team will help you choose the option that best fits your needs, whether you are looking for a routine baseline or a follow-up for specific symptoms.
Book your Health Check and add an ECG, or schedule an ECG alongside a GP appointment for symptom review. We will ensure your results are clearly explained and that you understand any next steps.
When to seek urgent help
If you are experiencing active chest pain, severe breathlessness or fainting, please seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call 999 for emergency care. For non-urgent advice, you can contact NHS 111.
Book Your Private ECG Test
The price listed is for the ECG test only. If you would like to review and discuss your results in detail, a 30-minute follow-up consultation with our Private GP is available for £120. You can arrange this at reception or book your GP appointment online.