Cardiology

Any type of problem with the heart or blood vessels (known collectively as the circulatory or cardiovascular system) can have a big impact on physical health, as well as mental and emotional health. Left untreated, many cardiovascular problems will get worse over time and have a more pronounced impact on overall health and quality of life.

Certain symptoms can indicate a potential problem within the cardiovascular system. These include:

• Chest pain
• Breathlessness
• Palpitations
• Dizziness
• Collapsing
• Loss of Consciousness

Less obvious symptoms that are usually only picked up during tests include:

• High blood pressure
• High Cholesterol

Although the presence of these symptoms does not always mean that you have a problem with your heart or blood vessels, it is sensible to get medical assessment and advice. If you have a crushing pain in or around your chest, with or without pain down your left arm, you should always seek urgent medical help.

Here at The Park Hospital, our Consultant Cardiologists will investigate the cause(s) of your symptoms and tailor any treatment needed to your specific needs.

Cardiac relates to the heart. Cardiology is the medical speciality that investigates and treats diseases of the heart and/or blood vessels. A doctor who specialises in this area is known as a Cardiologist.

The heart is a muscle, pumping blood around the body through the blood vessels. The blood carries oxygen and essential nutrients to the body and helps remove waste products.

If the heart is unable to function normally, or any of the blood vessels become narrow, blocked or damaged, you may need medical treatment to resolve the problem.

Common cardiovascular problems include:

• Angina and heart attacks
• Heart rhythm problems
• Valvular heart disease
• Heart failure
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Coronary artery disease
• Cardiomyopathy

When you first meet with your Consultant Cardiologist here at The Park, they will discuss your symptoms with you. They will want to learn:

• What symptoms you have?
• When the symptoms first started?
• Whether they’ve been getting worse over time?
• What triggers your symptoms?

Some of the symptoms people commonly complain of due to a cardiovascular problem include:

• Chest pain
• Breathlessness
• Palpitations
• Dizziness
• Collapsing
• Loss of Consciousness (syncope)

There are a number of useful diagnostic tests that can be carried out to investigate cardiovascular problems. As your cardiovascular system is spread throughout your body, diagnosis can sometimes be complex and may involve a number of investigations and tests.

Some of the tests that may be used to help confirm a diagnosis are:

• ECG - to measure the electrical activity of your heart
• Holter monitor/ Patch Monitor - an ECG carried out over a longer period of time (usually between 1 – 7 days)
• Exercise/Stress Test – used to assess how well your heart functions at different activity levels
• Blood pressure monitoring – usually carried out over a 24-hour period
• Tilt test - to assess how your heart rate and blood pressure are affected by a change in posture
• Echocardiography - an ultrasound scan of the heart that shows the structure and function of the heart
• Transoesophageal echocardiogram – an ultrasound probe is passed down your oesophagus (food pipe) to provide a clearer view of the heart than is possible from a standard echocardiogram, which is carried out from the front of the chest
• Coronary angiography and CT coronary angiography - specialised imaging of the blood vessels that supply the heart (the coronary arteries) using X-rays
• Cardiac MRI – specialised imaging of the heart with an MRI scan
• Coronary calcium score assessment – to measure the calcium level in the walls of your arteries. Can help show early signs of coronary artery diseases

Your consultant will be able to arrange any tests needed to ensure a thorough investigation and an accurate diagnosis. Once they know precisely what is causing your symptoms, they will be able to discuss suitable treatment options with you.

Treatment may involve watchful waiting, medication or surgery, all of which can be arranged for you at The Park. Surgical treatments available include:

• Coronary angioplasty and stenting
• Coronary angiography
• Loop recorder implantation (ILR)
• Pacemaker implantation
• Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRTP / CRTD)
• Implantable cardio defibrillators (ICD)

Regular follow-up with your consultant will help ensure your condition continues to be well managed. If your symptoms re-occur, or if you have any questions or concerns at any time, it is easy to arrange a time to see your consultant again for help and advice.

People choose to come to us for assessment, management and treatment of their heart condition for a variety of reasons. Some have been referred by their GP or a consultant in another speciality, while others have chosen to self-refer.

Many of our patients are from Nottingham and the surrounding areas, but people also travel from further afield to visit with us. At The Park you will benefit from:

• Rapid access - Early intervention for a heart condition can help prevent additional health complications in the future. When you are anxious about a heart problem, you will no doubt want to get a diagnosis and to start treatment as quickly as possible. With easy access to a Consultant Cardiologist, we can assess, diagnose and treat you without unnecessary delay.
• Dedicated clinics – We run a number of dedicated clinics, including a one-stop hypertension clinic to ensure a streamlined diagnostic and treatment process for people.
• Peace of mind - In 2019, 98.8% of the people we treated said they were likely or highly likely to recommend us to their friends and family. We know that any type of heart problem can be a source of worry. Rather than trying to work through any concerns by yourself, why not arrange an appointment with one of our experienced Consultant Cardiologist?
• Appointments to suit your life – With appointments available from Monday through to Saturday, it’s simple to schedule a time that’s convenient for you. Consultations are usually in person at The Park, but we can also provide remote consultations via telephone or video call where required.
• A personal approach - There is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment for any heart condition. The best treatment for you will be tailored to your specific requirements in order to relieve your symptoms and provide you with the best result possible.
• Multidisciplinary team - Your Consultant Cardiologist is supported by a team of other healthcare professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists and radiologists. Complex cases can be discussed with other specialists within a multidisciplinary team meeting in order to formulate the best treatment plan for you.
• On-site parking – It is easy to get to us and our on-site car park has 178 spaces, meaning you won’t need to worry about where to park when you visit.

If any type of heart condition is causing you anxiety or concern, it can be reassuring to know that good help is available, fast.

If you are looking for private cardiology treatment in and around Nottingham, book an appointment online today with an expert in heart health.

Your consultant will thoroughly investigate the cause(s) of your symptoms, talk you through suitable treatment options, and arrange treatment for you as soon as possible.