Improving your heart health through our Cardiology services.
We understand the importance of accurate and timely diagnostics when it comes to managing your heart health. That's why our experienced team of professionals work to provide the highest quality of care for you. The close working relationships between staff at Shirley Oaks Hospital ensures that patients with many aspects of heart disease can be accurately assessed by our team. Our cardiac care service is accredited by the British Society of Echocardiography Accredited Practitioners.
Located in Shirley Oaks Village on the outskirts of Croydon, people travel to us to seek the expertise of our experienced consultant cardiologists, and to make the most of our great facilities and compassionate team of healthcare professionals. We see patients from both South West and South East London, Kent, East Surrey and beyond. People come to us from local areas such as Sutton, Banstead, Coulsdon, Purley and Wallington, as well as Warlingham, Kenley and Chipstead. We also see many patients from further afield.
| Procedure/test | Cost |
| Electrocardiogram (Resting ECG) | £144 |
| 24 hour ECG monitor |
£381 |
| 48 hour ECG monitor |
£496 |
| 7 day ECG monitor |
£950 |
| 24 hour blood pressure monitor |
£340 |
| Exercise Echo Stress Test |
£559 |
| Echo Doppler Study |
£500 |
| Dobutamine Stress Test |
£956 |
| Chest Ultrasound 1 view |
£133 |
| CT Angiogram |
£1,178 |
| CT Cardiac |
£1,604 |
| Cardiac MRI |
From £1,500 |
| Loop Recorders |
£388 |
*Please be aware that the above prices are a guide price. Your final price will be confirmed in writing following your consultation.
It's especially important to keep an eye on your heart health if you have a family history of heart disease or heart problems, if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or if you have a condition that is known to contribute to or be related to heart disease - for example diabetes.
Common symptoms may include:
These symptoms can all be signs of many things, not just heart disease, but your cardiologist or consultant will be able to tell you whether you need further investigative tests.
Conditions managed by our team at Shirley Oaks Hospital include:
At Shirley Oaks Hospital, our cardiology service offers the following:
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art ECG equipment, enabling us to measure the electrical activity of your heart. This non-invasive test helps diagnose various heart conditions such as arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and heart attacks.
Echocardiography
Our skilled cardiologists and cardiac physiologists use echocardiography to assess the structure and function of your heart by creating detailed images using high-frequency sound waves. This painless and non-invasive test helps detect issues like valve abnormalities, heart muscle problems, and fluid accumulation around the heart.
Stress testing/Stress echocardiography
With our advanced stress testing equipment, you will be asked to undertake light exercise on a piece of equipment, such as a treadmill. Your consultant will then monitor your heart's response to the physical activity. This test is particularly useful in assessing coronary artery disease and evaluating your heart's overall performance during exercise.
Dobutamine stress echocardiography
Assessing your heart muscle under stress using a treadmill is not always suitable. Using intravenous medication to increase your heart rate and workload of your heart, we can assess your heart muscle without the need for physical exercise.
Holter monitoring
If your doctor suspects irregular heart rhythms or symptoms that occur infrequently, a Holter monitor can provide valuable insights. This portable device records your heart's electrical activity over 24 hours or longer, helping detect rhythm abnormalities that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Cardiac CT angiography
Our hospital offers cardiac CT angiography, a non-invasive imaging technique that provides highly detailed pictures of your heart and blood vessels. This test helps identify plaque build-up, blockages, and other abnormalities in your coronary arteries.
Cardiac MRI – New from 2024
Our cutting-edge cardiac MRI technology allows for precise imaging of your heart, providing detailed information about its structure, function, and blood flow. This non-invasive test is particularly useful in diagnosing complex cardiac conditions and assessing the health of your heart muscle.
Loop recorders
This innovative technology is used to monitor your heart's electrical activity over an extended period. Loop recorders are small, implantable devices that continuously record and store information about your heart's rhythm. They are particularly useful for patients who experience sporadic symptoms or have undiagnosed palpitations, fainting, or other cardiac issues. Loop recorders provide valuable data that can aid in diagnosing and managing various heart conditions.
Please note, you may not be able to complete all diagnostic testing on your initial visit. But please do not worry, we will be in contact to arrange a suitable appointment for you to complete this. On average, the wait times for cardiac diagnostic testing are as follows:
| Diagnostic/Test |
Test duration |
Approx. wait time |
| Dobutamine Stress Echo |
90 mins |
7 days |
| Exercise Stress Echo |
60 mins |
7 days |
| Echocardiography |
40 mins |
5 days |
| Blood/Urine testing |
10-30 mins |
Same day |
| Cardiogram/Imaging (MRI, CT, etc.) |
20-60 mins |
By appointment only |
| Chest X-ray |
30 mins |
Same day |
| ECG and arrhythmia monitoring |
Varies |
Same day |
Patients with additional needs will be identified early and supported in-line with our Accessible Information Standards (AIS) policy.
Our outpatients services are accessible to all patients over the age of 18. The hospital itself is an accessible environment, being wheelchair-friendly and equipped with translators and hearing loops throughout.
Visitors are welcome and can be present for some diagnostics at the discretion of the clinician. There is ample space in our waiting areas and an onsite restaurant which is open to the public. There is also a large, free car park for your use.
If you would like to see one of our consultant cardiologists, please give our appointments team a call on 020 8655 5571. You will need to provide the details of your referral at this time. Alternatively, you may use our online booking system to book an appointment with one of our expert consultants.
Please note, you can only be referred to our cardiac service by a cardiologist. GP or self-referral letters will not be accepted and your referral will be screened before acceptance.
We welcome all patients including those who are self-paying, NHS referrals and privately insured patients. Patients in need of Dobutamine Stress Echo (DSE) and Exercise Stress Echo (ESE) testing will be contacted by a specialist nurse prior to their initial appointment.
Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you. We offer fixed-term monthly payment plans over one to five years with no deposit required.
If you have private health insurance, cardiac testing will usually be covered by your provider. Speak to your insurer directly to find out.
Any diagnostic tests and your consultant’s outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.
“Sarah, the cardiac physiologist looked after me today - I felt very comforted and calm in her presence even though I was feeling very anxious. She had such a lovely manner, explained things clearly to me, was very reassuring and made me feel at ease whilst undertaking my echocardiogram. I felt very lucky that she was dealing with me. A special mention goes also to Wendi who did my ECG after, and who was also friendly and made me smile. Thank you for your great service.”
- Michelle, submitted to Google Reviews
We are proud to provide a fully comprehensive cardiac service to patients in the South London region, including parts of Surrey, Kent, and further afield. We offer a local service where quality is not compromised, offering the best care to our local community.
By choosing Shirley Oaks Hospital for cardiac care, you can benefit from:
Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in March 2024. Next review due March 2027.
