Dr Omar Fersia is a highly experienced Consultant Cardiologist based at Forth Valley Royal Hospital and Kings Park Hospital, where he provides comprehensive, patient-centred cardiology care. He is the Cardiac Devices Lead in NHS Forth Valley, with subspecialty expertise in advanced cardiac imaging, cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure, coronary angiography, and cardiac device implantation. He combines extensive clinical experience with a strong academic background and a commitment to delivering efficient, high-quality care.

Dr Fersia graduated from the University of Dundee with an MBChB with Honours in 2007, followed by postgraduate medical training at Ninewells Hospital. He completed his specialist cardiology training at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, with subspecialty interests in cardiac imaging and cardiac devices. He was appointed as a Consultant Cardiologist in 2019, initially serving as Cardiac Services Lead in NHS Dumfries and Galloway, before moving to NHS Forth Valley in 2020 to lead and develop the cardiac devices service. He has since built a distinguished career in both NHS and independent practice at Kings Park Hospital and Ross Hall Hospitals, currently holding a substantive consultant post at NHS Forth Valley in addition to being the Cardiac Devices Lead and the Foundation Programme Director in the West of Scotland training deanery.

He is experienced in the full breadth of general cardiology and welcomes referrals for the assessment of chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations, dizziness, and blackouts. He also offers the flexibility for patients to self-refer, enabling timely access to specialist cardiology assessment without the need for a GP referral. His clinical interests include advanced echocardiography, CT coronary angiography, cardiac MRI, cardiac rhythm management, and device implantation, including pacemakers, ICDs, CRT devices, subcutaneous ICDs, and conduction system pacing. He has extensive expertise in advanced diagnostic modalities such as electrocardiography (ECG), ambulatory ECG monitoring, echocardiography, CT coronary angiography, cardiac MRI, and invasive coronary angiography.

A key strength of Dr Fersia’s practice is his ability to provide a streamlined and efficient diagnostic service. He has successfully established a Direct Access Echocardiogram Service and runs “one-stop” clinics at Kings Park Hospital, where consultations and investigations, including 12-lead ECG, echocardiography and ambulatory ECG monitoring can be performed on the same day. Results are reviewed and discussed during the appointment, allowing for rapid diagnosis and early initiation of appropriate management.

Dr Fersia has advanced accreditation in cardiac imaging with the British Society of Echocardiography, including transthoracic (2D and 4D), contrast and bubble echocardiography, transoesophageal echocardiography, and stress echocardiography. He is also experienced in cardiac CT and MRI. In addition, he is certified by the European Heart Rhythm Association in cardiac device implantation.
He has specialist expertise in the cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 and in sports cardiology, including the assessment of divers with suspected decompression illness. He runs an advanced echocardiography service, including bubble studies and transoesophageal echocardiography, for commercial and recreational divers across Scotland.

Dr Fersia is actively involved in education and research. He is an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow and serves as Foundation Programme Director in NHS Forth Valley. He has contributed to multiple multicentre research trials and has led research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac services in Scotland, published in the BMJ and presented at the Scottish Cardiac Society Conference. He has also published widely in peer-reviewed international journals on cardiac imaging, heart failure, coronary artery disease and cardiac device therapies and he is regularly invited to speak and present at national and international meetings.

Known for his approachable and compassionate manner, Dr Fersia takes time to understand each patient’s concerns and tailors investigations and treatment plans accordingly. He combines clear communication with evidence-based practice to ensure patients are fully informed and actively involved in decisions about their care.

Dr Fersia is very approachable and welcomes referrals for the assessment and investigations of all cardiac conditions.

You can watch a recent conversation Dr Fersia had with one of his heart failure patients here. 

Dr Fersia recently hosted an online patient information event on recognising and treating heart failure. You can register here to view this event on demand.

• Heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia)
• Atrial fibrillation
• Heart failure
• Investigations of heart murmur
• Investigation of shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• Dizzy spells
• Collapse/Syncope
• Chest pain
• Angina 
• Cardiovascular risk assessment
• Perioperative cardiac assessment
• Investigation and treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Investigation and treatment of high cholesterol level
• Cardiomyopathy
• Sports Cardiology
• Pacemaker insertion and follow-up
• Defibrillator insertion and follow up (ICD), including subcutaneous ICD
• Cardiac resynchronisation therapy insertion and follow up (CRT)
• Pacemaker/ICD/CRT generator replacement
• Internal Loop Recorder (ILR) insertion
• DC cardioversion
• Trans-thoracic echocardiography
• Trans-oesophageal echocardiography
• Stress echocardiography (dobutamine and exercise)
• CT coronary angiography
• Cardiac MRI scanning
• Cardiovascular screening
• ECG and ambulatory ECG monitoring

• European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)
• BSCI Accreditation in CT Coronary Angiography
• SCMR Accreditation in Cardiac MRI
• British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) Accreditations in Advanced Cardiac Imaging (Transthoracic Echocardiogram, Trans-oesophageal Echocardiogram and Stress Echocardiogram)
• EHRA accreditation in Cardiac Device Therapy
• European Society of Cardiology
• British Cardiovascular Society
• Scottish Cardiac Society