Arrhythmia Diagnosis and Tests

What diagnostic tests are conducted to detect an arrhythmia?

Your doctor may ask for the following tests:

• Full blood count (FBC)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) – this records the electrical activity of your heart to see how well it’s working
• 24-hour heart monitor (ambulatory ECG) – this records the electrical activity of your heart over 24 hours or longer
• Exercise ECG – this can check for other problems with your heart and may trigger abnormal heart rhythms
• Echocardiogram – this uses ultrasound (sound waves) to look at your heart’s structure, valves and pumping action
• Electrophysiological study – this determines if you have any extra electrical pathways in your heart that are causing an abnormal heart rhythm