Cardiology in Milton Keynes

 It’s important to know signs that some part of your cardiovascular system isn’t working as well as it should. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may want to see a doctor to get things properly looked at: 

• Chest pains, usually sharp or stabbing, often getting worse when breathing in or lying down 
• Palpitations, a fluttering, pounding or irregular heartbeat 
• Breathlessness 
• Heart rate becoming slower or faster than normal 
• Feeling more tired or weaker, even at rest 
• Swollen ankles or legs 
• Dizzy spells or passing out

If you do have any of these symptoms, it doesn’t always mean that you have a problem with your heart or blood vessels as they can be signs of other minor conditions. To be sure that it is a heart concern, it is vital to get checked out by a doctor. Particularly if your symptoms are noticeable, intense, prolonged or causing you concern. 

Here at The Saxon Clinic, our cardiology service can provide expert assessment and diagnosis for you. Should treatment be necessary, your doctor will be able to arrange that for you simply and quickly. 

When should I seek emergency treatment for a heart issue?

If you have a sharp, tight pain in and around your chest, shooting pain in your arm, neck, jaw, back, or stomach, feel sick, sweaty, light-headed or short of breath, you should always seek immediate medical help as this may be a sign of a heart attack or stroke. 

Call 911 if you suspect you may be experiencing a heart attack or stroke. 

Cardiac relates to the heart. Investigation and treatment of diseases of the heart and/or blood vessels is known as cardiology. A doctor who specialises in this field of medicine is known as a cardiologist.  
Your heart is a muscle. When it is healthy and working properly, blood is continually moved through your blood vessels. Should something stop the heart from working normally, or the blood vessels become narrowed or blocked, medical treatment may be needed. 

Common problems of the cardiovascular system include: 

• Angina and heart attacks 
• Heart rhythm problems 
• Valve disease 
• Heart failure 
• High cholesterol 
• Hypertension

With any medical problem, an accurate diagnosis is crucial. Once a diagnosis has been made, treatment options can be discussed, planned, and started.  

When you first meet with your doctor here at The Saxon Clinic, they’ll talk with you about your symptoms. They’ll want to know things like: 

• How long you’ve had the problem
• If you have chest pain type, the type of pain it is (for example, is it dull or sharp, localised or spread throughout the chest, constant or intermittent?)
• Whether it’s been getting worse over time

There are a range of diagnostic tests and technologies that can be helpful when investigating cardiovascular problems. Unlike a problem with a specific body part, the knee for example, the cardiovascular system is spread throughout your body and affects every part of it. Narrowing things down to a specific cause can sometimes be quite an involved process. 

On-site at The Saxon Clinic, we can provide blood tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG), to measure your heart's electrical activity. These can often show up any underlying heart conditions. 

Should further tests be needed, these will be arranged for you off-site. They may include: 

• Echocardiography: a specialised ultrasound scan of the heart
• Heart rhythm monitoring
• Exercise stress tests: to see how well your heart functions at different levels
• CT coronary angiogram: uses X-rays and computer technology to produce imaging of the blood vessels supplying your heart 

Your doctor will be able to arrange any additional tests you may need. 

For more than 30 years, we’ve been helping support and treat people with cardiovascular problems. People choose to come from us for a number of reasons, including:

Rapid access 

When you’re struggling with a heart problem, you’ll want to get it diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible. With quick access to heart experts, we’ll be able to assess, diagnose and treat you without undue delay.

Peace of mind 

Over 97% of the people we’ve treated in the last year would recommend us to their friends and family. Heart problems can be a real source of worry, but your doctor will talk through any questions or concerns you may have at any stage to help reassure you and put your mind at rest.

Flexible appointments 

We appreciate that life can often be very busy. We’re open until 9pm for consultations so that you can schedule time with your doctor at a time that’s most convenient for you.

Treatment tailored just for you

With cardiovascular health, there is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment option. Any treatment or rehabilitation programme needed will be structured in order to give you the best results and to successfully manage the cause(s) of your condition. With follow-up reviews, you’ll know that your cardiovascular health will always be in good hands.

Multidisciplinary team 

From experienced heart surgeons, physiotherapists and nurses through to occupational therapists and radiographers, our team of healthcare professionals will work together to ensure you’ll benefit from the best possible care and support at all times.

Free parking 

Just register your car at Reception when you arrive with us, and you won’t need to pay for parking during your visit. 

The cost of your initial consultation starts at about £200, and the cost of cardiology treatment will depend on various factors, from your symptoms and condition to the consultant you choose.  

We offer a range of payment options, so private cardiology care is more accessible than ever.  

You can choose to self-pay, select one of our fixed-price packages for added clarity and peace of mind, or spread the cost with our monthly finance plans. 

We also work with all major private medical insurers, meaning your consultation and tests may be covered depending on your policy and referral requirements.  

Our goal is to provide high-quality cardiac care with clear, straightforward choices for every patient. 

The length of a cardiology test varies depending on the type of assessment. However, most are completed relatively quickly.  

A standard electrocardiogram (ECG) usually takes just five to ten minutes, while an echocardiogram typically lasts 20 to 40 minutes. 
 
Exercise-based assessments, such as a treadmill stress test, take around 30 to 45 minutes. A stress echocardiogram can take a bit long, usually 45 minutes to an hour. This is because a stress echocardiogram includes both imaging and exercise components. 
 
More advanced imaging, like a computed-tomography coronary angiogram or a cardiac magnetic resonance scan, generally lasts between 30 minutes to an 1hr 30 minutes, including the time taken to prepare.  

Wearable monitoring tests, such as a 24 hour Holter monitor, only require a short fitting of about 10 to 15 minutes, though the monitoring itself continues over one or more days. 

If you’re feeling anxious or concerned about a problem with your heart, it’s important to know that good help is available. 

Effective treatments are available for a wide range of heart problems, so why not get in touch today to book a consultation with us? 

Your doctor will investigate the cause of your problem and then talk with you about any suitable treatment options available. If surgery is needed, such as an implant of a pacemaker they’ll be able to arrange that for you without delay. 

If you’re looking for private cardiology treatment in and around Milton Keynes, Buckingham, Leighton Buzzard and Woburn, contact us today for help. 

Book an appointment online today. 

To book your initial consultation with one of our cardiologists near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you