Private ECG service in Glasgow
MedAssistant provides a private resting 12-lead ECG at its Glasgow clinic:
MedAssistant
117 Saltmarket
Glasgow
G1 5LF
The standard ECG service costs £85. You can self-refer, and a GP or clinician referral is not required for routine booking. The standard interpretation and report turnaround is within 24 hours.
Important: MedAssistant is not an emergency service. If you are currently experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness, do not attend MedAssistant for a routine ECG appointment. Seek appropriate urgent or emergency medical assessment instead. See the safety section below.
What is an ECG?
An electrocardiogram, usually called an ECG, records the electrical activity of your heart. It can provide information about your heart rate, rhythm and electrical patterns.
During a resting ECG, small sticky sensors called electrodes are placed on the skin and connected to an ECG machine. The test records electrical signals from the heart; it does not send electricity into your body.
An ECG is only one part of a clinical assessment. Its findings should be considered alongside your symptoms, medical history, medicines and any other investigations that may be needed. A normal ECG cannot rule out every heart condition.
You can read more about the test in the NHS guide to electrocardiograms.
When might an ECG be recommended?
A clinician may recommend an ECG when assessing matters such as:
- Palpitations or a suspected irregular heartbeat
- Fainting episodes or dizziness
- Chest symptoms or shortness of breath
- A known heart condition
- The effects of certain medicines
- An irregular pulse or suspected atrial fibrillation
NICE guidance on atrial fibrillation includes ECG assessment within pathways for suspected atrial fibrillation. The appropriate assessment depends on your individual circumstances.
These examples do not mean a routine ECG appointment is suitable while symptoms are current. If you are currently experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness, seek appropriate urgent or emergency assessment rather than attending MedAssistant for a routine ECG.
What the MedAssistant ECG service includes
MedAssistant provides a resting 12-lead ECG recorded at the Glasgow clinic. The service includes:
- Recording of a resting 12-lead ECG
- Initial review by MedAssistant clinical staff, who may be an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) or GP
- ECG interpretation by cardiophysiologists
- A copy of your ECG findings or report
- Standard interpretation and report turnaround within 24 hours
The standard service costs £85.
ECG review and interpretation
MedAssistant clinical staff initially review the ECG. The initial reviewer may be an ANP or GP. The ECG is then interpreted by cardiophysiologists.
An ECG report may describe findings relating to the heart’s rate, rhythm and electrical activity. It does not provide a complete diagnosis on its own, and further assessment may be needed depending on the findings and your symptoms.
Optional consultant cardiologist review
Additional review by a consultant cardiologist is available for £200. This is optional and is not included in the standard £85 ECG service.
Where additional consultant review is requested or appropriate, the consultant cardiologist can provide a further diagnostic opinion and a treatment plan. Do not assume that every ECG receives consultant cardiologist review.
Report turnaround and sharing
The standard ECG interpretation and report turnaround is within 24 hours. This timeframe relates to interpretation and reporting, not appointment availability.
You will receive a copy of your ECG findings or report. With your consent, correspondence can also be emailed to your GP. Alternatively, you can provide your own GP with the copy supplied to you.
What happens if the ECG is abnormal?
Emergency findings
If clinical staff identify an emergency rhythm or another finding requiring emergency assessment, an ANP or GP will undertake the immediate clinical assessment. You will then be directed to the local Emergency Department.
MedAssistant is not an emergency service and should not be used instead of urgent or emergency medical care.
Abnormal but non-emergency findings
If the ECG has an abnormal finding that does not require emergency assessment:
- You will be informed of the finding
- You may take the findings to your own GP
- Where appropriate, MedAssistant can refer you to NHS or Private cardiology services
- You may request additional consultant cardiologist review of the ECG for £200
The appropriate next step will depend on the finding and your individual circumstances.
How to book an ECG in Glasgow
You can self-refer for a routine ECG. A GP or clinician referral is not required.
- Use MedAssistant’s online booking system.
- Select the appropriate ECG appointment option.
- Attend the MedAssistant clinic at 117 Saltmarket, Glasgow, G1 5LF.
- Bring information about your current medicines and relevant medical history.
ECG prices
The standard resting 12-lead ECG service costs £85. An expedited report is available within 2 hours for £125.
Optional additional consultant cardiologist review costs £200 and is separate from the standard service. Consultant cardiologist review is not automatically included with every ECG.
Preparing for your ECG appointment
General preparation for a resting ECG may include:
- Wearing clothing that allows access to your chest, arms and lower legs
- Avoiding heavy creams or lotions on your chest before the test, as these may affect electrode contact
- Shaving excess chest hair is beneficial
- Bringing a list of your current medicines
- Telling the clinical team about relevant symptoms, previous heart tests or known heart conditions
- Letting the team know if you have a pacemaker or another implanted cardiac device
You may be asked to remove upper clothing so the electrodes can be placed correctly. These are general preparation points; follow any specific instructions provided for your appointment.
Safety and urgent symptoms
Do not attend MedAssistant for a routine ECG if you are currently experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness. Seek appropriate urgent or emergency medical assessment instead.
Call 999 or attend Accident & Emergency if your symptoms indicate a medical emergency. Examples may include:
- Severe, new or worsening chest pain or pressure
- Severe breathing difficulty
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Symptoms of a stroke, such as facial drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty
- A very fast or irregular heartbeat accompanied by severe illness or distress
- Any sudden or severe symptom that feels unsafe to wait with
For urgent advice in Scotland when the situation is not life threatening, contact NHS 24 on 111 or your GP where appropriate.
Not every mild episode of dizziness or breathlessness automatically requires a 999 call. The appropriate response depends on the nature and severity of the symptoms. However, current chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness should be assessed through an appropriate urgent or emergency care route rather than a routine MedAssistant ECG appointment.
An ECG can provide useful information, but it must not delay urgent assessment when symptoms are acute or severe.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a private ECG with MedAssistant in Glasgow?
Yes. MedAssistant records resting 12-lead ECGs at 117 Saltmarket, Glasgow, G1 5LF.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. Self-referrals are accepted, and a GP or clinician referral is not required for routine booking.
What type of ECG does MedAssistant provide?
MedAssistant provides a resting 12-lead ECG recorded at its Glasgow clinic.
How much does the standard ECG cost?
The standard ECG service costs £85.
Who reviews and interprets the ECG?
MedAssistant clinical staff initially review the ECG, and the initial reviewer may be an ANP or GP. Cardiophysiologists interpret the ECG.
Does every ECG receive consultant cardiologist review?
No. Consultant cardiologist review is optional, costs £200 and is not included in the standard £85 service.
How quickly will I receive my ECG report?
The standard ECG interpretation and report turnaround is within 24 hours.
Will I receive a copy of my findings?
Yes. You will receive a copy of your ECG findings or report.
Can my ECG findings be sent to my GP?
With your consent, correspondence can be emailed to your GP. Alternatively, you can give your GP the copy supplied to you.
What happens if the ECG is abnormal?
You will be informed of abnormal findings. For non-emergency findings, you may take the results to your GP, MedAssistant may refer you to NHS or Private cardiology services where appropriate, or you may request additional consultant cardiologist review for £200.
If an emergency rhythm or another finding requiring emergency assessment is identified, an ANP or GP will undertake the immediate clinical assessment and direct you to the local Emergency Department.
Can an ECG rule out heart disease?
No. An ECG provides information about the heart’s electrical activity, but it cannot rule out every heart condition. Findings must be considered alongside your symptoms, medical history and any further assessment or tests that may be needed.
Can I attend a routine ECG while I have symptoms?
Do not attend MedAssistant for a routine ECG if you are currently experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness. Seek appropriate urgent or emergency medical assessment. Call 999 or attend Accident & Emergency where symptoms indicate a medical emergency; for urgent non-life-threatening advice in Scotland, contact NHS 24 on 111 or your GP where appropriate.
