An electrocardiogram, or EKG, is a quick, non-invasive test that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart. By capturing the heart’s rhythm and rate, the EKG provides information about its function. The actual recording of electrical signals for the standard resting EKG is brief, typically lasting less than a minute. However, the total time spent at the clinic involves several steps beyond that short recording period.
The Standard Resting EKG: Step-by-Step Timing
The most common form of the test, the standard resting EKG, is performed while you are lying still on an examination table. While the recording itself is nearly instantaneous, the total time commitment for the appointment is usually between 15 and 20 minutes. This duration accounts for the necessary preparation and post-procedure steps.
The appointment begins with registration and paperwork, generally taking five to ten minutes, depending on the facility and whether you are a new patient. Once in the procedure room, the technician prepares the skin for the electrodes, which involves cleaning and sometimes shaving small areas to ensure a strong connection. Placement of the ten to twelve sticky patches and preparation can take another five to ten minutes.
After the electrodes are attached, you will be asked to lie still and relax, sometimes for a few minutes to ensure your heart rate is stable. The machine then records the heart’s electrical signals, a process typically complete within 30 seconds to one minute. Following the recording, the technician removes the electrodes, which takes approximately two to three minutes.
Variations on the Standard Test
Other types of EKGs capture heart activity under different conditions. These specialized tests are used when a standard EKG does not provide enough information or when symptoms occur intermittently. The duration of these tests varies widely, depending on the diagnostic goal.
Stress EKG
A stress EKG, or exercise tolerance test, assesses how the heart performs during physical exertion. This test involves walking on a treadmill or cycling on a stationary bike while heart rate, blood pressure, and EKG are continuously monitored. Including the initial setup, exercise phase, and cool-down period, a stress EKG typically requires 30 to 60 minutes. The exercise portion itself usually lasts a maximum of 15 minutes, aiming to reach a target heart rate or until symptoms occur.
Ambulatory Monitoring
For patients whose symptoms are infrequent or unpredictable, ambulatory monitoring devices record heart activity over extended periods outside the clinic. A Holter monitor is a portable EKG device worn continuously for 24 to 48 hours to capture all heartbeats during daily life. Event monitors are worn for up to 14 days or a month and are often activated by the patient when they feel symptoms. Fitting the device and receiving instructions takes about 10 to 15 minutes, but the recording period is measured in days or weeks.
What Happens After the Recording is Complete?
After the physical recording is finished, the data must be analyzed. The EKG machine produces a printout of the electrical tracings, which a cardiologist must interpret. In emergency situations, a preliminary review for immediate issues can happen almost instantly.
For routine resting EKGs, the official report may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to be read by the specialist. The time frame depends on the setting (clinic or hospital) and the cardiologist’s availability. Results are usually discussed with the ordering physician during a follow-up appointment. Stress EKG results may be available within 24 hours, but data from Holter or event monitors takes longer to process, sometimes a week or two, before the final report is ready.