In　order　to　store　and　transmit　electrocardiogram　(ECG),　an　integer　wavelet　based　on　lifting　scheme　composed　of　embedded　zerotree　wavelet　(EZW)　coding　is　proposed　in　this　paper.　The　EZW　has　achieved　notable　success　in　image　coding.　We　modified　the　algorithm　for　the　one-dimensional　case　and　applied　it　to　compression　of　ECG　data.　In　order　to　reduce　the　complexity　of　the　algorithm,　we　used　the　integer　wavelet　to　replace　the　original　wavelet.　Experiments　on　selected　records　from　MIT-BIH　arrhythmia　database　revealed　that　the　proposed　code　is　significantly　more　efficient　in　compression,　when　compared　with　other　methods.　The　algorithm　exhibits　the　virtue　of　simplicity,　fastness　variant　bit　rate,　space　saving　and　relatively　low　computation　complexity,　etc.　which　makes　it　especially　fit　for　the　embedded　system　with　critical　memory　space　and　power　consumption.