Heart ECG
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Arab Emirates
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Heart ECG
Does anyone know please, that why u would have to do a heart pace test for 24hrs at gatwick.Does this mean that u would not get ur class one medical if u failed..many thanks. 
Join Date: Sep 1998
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Not quite sure what you mean by 'pace test'? A 24-hr ECG involves wearing a 'walkman' type device with numerous electrodes attached to your chest. It has to be fitted and removed at Gatwick, but you can go where you like in the intervening period. It would be done if there was something unusual in a standard EGC. 'Pass' or 'Fail' is a subjective matter for the cardiologists at the CAA.
They may also do a 'Stress ECG' on you. This involves walking on a treadmill which gets progressively faster, while wired-up to an ECG machine. It takes about 10 mins. This sounds more like the 'pace' ECG you mention. I believe this test is to work the heart harder, to try and trigger the abnormal reaction that may have been observed (but then I am a pilot, not a doc)!
I had both types done a few years ago, and came through ok. The CAA cardiologists were a good bunch and were very helpful. Email me if you need any more info.
They may also do a 'Stress ECG' on you. This involves walking on a treadmill which gets progressively faster, while wired-up to an ECG machine. It takes about 10 mins. This sounds more like the 'pace' ECG you mention. I believe this test is to work the heart harder, to try and trigger the abnormal reaction that may have been observed (but then I am a pilot, not a doc)!
I had both types done a few years ago, and came through ok. The CAA cardiologists were a good bunch and were very helpful. Email me if you need any more info.
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Simlair to Noddy Staltern I have had both ecg tests done. The first is called a 'PACER' test and the second 'Walking' test is normally done on a tread-mill to the Bruce Protocol.
The Pacer is, as Noddy says, is a recording device which is taped onto you to monitor your heart over 24 hours on a casette.
The Bruce Protocol for the treadmill is starting off level WALKING for four minutes, then the treadmill is inlcined to make you walk 'uphill' and this angle is increased every 4 minutes and subsequent increaseS in heart rate is recorded.
If you don't live in London, asked the medical division of the CAA for their list of approved cardiologist in other cities, who can carRy out these tests.
In fact there were no cardiologists near to me and they actually allowed a local cardiologist to do the tests.
This monitoring seems to be on the increase as I know several pilots who have had it done. All still flying.
Good luck and try not to worry too much.
The Pacer is, as Noddy says, is a recording device which is taped onto you to monitor your heart over 24 hours on a casette.
The Bruce Protocol for the treadmill is starting off level WALKING for four minutes, then the treadmill is inlcined to make you walk 'uphill' and this angle is increased every 4 minutes and subsequent increaseS in heart rate is recorded.
If you don't live in London, asked the medical division of the CAA for their list of approved cardiologist in other cities, who can carRy out these tests.
In fact there were no cardiologists near to me and they actually allowed a local cardiologist to do the tests.
This monitoring seems to be on the increase as I know several pilots who have had it done. All still flying.
Good luck and try not to worry too much.
