Tests
Tests are used to diagnose a heart condition or to see how healthy your heart is. Find out what to expect from some of the most common tests.
Electrophysiology study explained
What is an electrophysiology study?
An electrophysiology study, or EP study, is a test which looks at your heart's electrical activity in more detail.An EP study can stimulate and diagnose abnormal heart rhythms and identify which areas of your heart are affected.
If the cause of your abnormal heart rhythm is found, the doctor will sometimes proceed to treat the problem by doing a catheter ablation. This treatment uses either heat (radio-frequency ablation) or freezing (cryogenic ablation) to create scars that block abnormal electrical connections which are causing the abnormal rhythm.
You may have catheter ablation at the same time as the EP study.
Benefits and risk
What are the risks of an EP study?
It is rare to have complications when you have an EP study.
Complications may include:
- abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
- infection, bleeding or bruising where the tube (catheter) is put in your vein
- blood clots
- heart attack
- stroke.
There is a small risk of damage to the heart's normal electrical pathways. If this happens, you may need to be fitted with a pacemaker.
Your doctor will explain any possible complications to you before you give your consent to have the test.
During an EP study
How long does an EP study take?
An EP study usually takes about 2 to 3 hours but can take longer. You’ll be asked not to eat or drink anything for a few hours beforehand.
What happens during an EP study?
An EP study is carried out in a cath lab by a specialist cardiac doctor called an electrophysiologist.
You’ll have a local anaesthetic injection to numb the area where the catheter is put in. You may also be given a sedative which is a medicine that helps you relax during the procedure.
During the procedure:
- A thin flexible tube called a catheter is put into a vein, usually in the top of your leg (groin).
- The catheter is passed up to the heart. This can cause an abnormal heart rhythm.
- You may feel lightheaded or like you’re having palpitations. You may also feel a sensation or discomfort in your chest. Tell the staff if you experience any symptoms.
Recovery
What happens after an EP study?
When the test is over, the catheter is removed. Sometimes there may be a small amount of bleeding when it is taken out. A nurse or doctor will press on the area to stop any bleeding.If there’s bleeding from the area where the catheter was placed, you might develop a collection of blood under the skin, called a haematoma. It can be uncomfortable and will cause bruising but should settle after a few days. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns.
You will be asked to stay in bed for a few hours after the test, but most people can go home on the same day.
It’s normal to feel tired afterwards, but you should feel back to normal within a few days.
You may notice that you can feel your heart beating afterwards, or you may feel extra or missed beats. This is common and will usually settle down over time.
Get support
- Speak to our cardiac nurses by phone, callback, email or online chat on Heart Helpline (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
- Sign up to our Heart Matters magazine for online tips, support and recipes to look after your heart health.
- Join our online HealthUnlocked community to speak to other people going through the same experience.
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How your heart works
A healthy heart functions like a pump, delivering oxygen rich blood throughout the body.
Arrhythmias
An arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, usually means your heart is beating too fast, too slow or not regularly.