Private Cardiology Service Dorchester

The complex circulatory system in our bodies controls how our heart functions along with our arteries, veins, and capillaries. When something goes wrong in this system, it can have serious consequences. Signs of potential heart disease can be distressing for anyone, making medical attention a priority.

In seeking medical attention, you’ll want to be seen by specialists in the cardiovascular field. Our Consultant Cardiologists at Winterbourne Hospital have extensive experience diagnosing and treating the full extent of heart conditions and are available for private appointments at your earliest convenience.

You should consider seeing one of our cardiologists if you have had any of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations (racing of the heart)
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting/ Blackouts
• Ankle or leg swelling

Even if you haven’t been experiencing symptoms, it can be reassuring to see a specialist, especially if you have a family history of heart disease. Our cardiologists care for a whole range of different heart diseases and are ready to give you answers to your problems.

Our Consultants treat the following conditions:

• Angina (chest pain caused by clogging/ narrowing of the heart arteries)
• Arrhythmias (heart rhythm problems such as Atrial Fibrillation)
• Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle problems/ weakness)
• Heart attacks (when a heart artery blocks off the blood supply to an area of the heart)
• Heart failure (symptoms such as breathlessness and leg swelling, when the heart function is compromised)
• Heart valve disease (the heart valve ensures efficiency of the heart’s pumping)
• High blood pressure (which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes)
• Inherited/family heart conditions
• Lipid disorders, including hypercholesterolaemia

Providing reassurance and rapid diagnosis for patients based in Dorchester, Weymouth, Bridport, South Somerset, and the surrounding areas, our cardiologists at Winterbourne Hospital offer rapid access to a comprehensive assessment, detailed investigations, and a personalised treatment plan to address your symptoms and bring you relief.

Treatment for heart diseases can vary depending on the specific condition. Fortunately, if caught early, many conditions can be managed effectively with medication. Our dedicated on-site pharmacy can supply you with prescription tablets if necessary, allowing you to get started on treatment as soon as possible.

Lifestyle adjustments are often recommended as this can be an effective way of reducing some of your symptoms and risk. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a good diet, while reducing intake of alcohol and nicotine, as well as lowering stress where possible, often gives you a better chance of recovery and has been known to help with certain symptoms.

Some patients may require surgical intervention, and your Consultant will be able to advise if this is something that can be done on-site or at a specialist cardiac facility elsewhere. Surgery can be for a number of reasons, such as fitting a pacemaker to ensure your heartbeat stays at the correct rate, a balloon and stent procedure to open up a narrowed heart artery, or an ablation to treat heart rhythm problems.

These procedures can be considered for the right candidates, with your Consultant leading you through all the necessary preparations.

Treatment at Winterbourne Hospital is evidence-based and personalised to your specific needs, ensuring you always get the most appropriate form of treatment for your condition.

Finding an accurate diagnosis for your heart concerns is of the highest priority during your first visit to us at Winterbourne Hospital, especially as some symptoms can indicate serious health problems. When you first meet your Consultant, they will take a detailed medical history and ask you some questions to gain an understanding of the issues you’ve been facing. Questions they may ask include:

• Can you describe your symptoms?
• How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?
• Have you had any previous heart concerns?
• Do you have a family history of heart problems?
• Are you currently taking any medication?
• Are your symptoms worse when you exercise?
• Have your symptoms been getting increasingly frequent?
• Have you received any other treatment yet?

They will also ask about certain risk factors, such as whether or not you smoke or drink heavily, or if you are diabetic. This will be followed by a physical examination, where your Consultant will listen to your heart and lungs.

Very often, patients need no further investigations, and your Consultant can reassure you that nothing concerning has been found. For patients with high cholesterol or high blood pressure, your Consultant can advise you on whether or not you should take medication as a precaution to prevent any future concerns.

Diagnostic scans will often be required if you have mentioned having chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations, as they can be notable symptoms of a serious heart condition. These scans will take advantage of the extensive imaging facilities we have on-site, with further investigations available nearby if appropriate.

Those with palpitations may require a heart rhythm monitor, which records your heart rhythm over a period of 24 hours or longer. This is especially useful for patients whose symptoms are intermittent.

The hospital is situated just a mile from the centre of Dorchester, making it easy to access via car or public transport.

When you choose to visit Winterbourne Hospital in Dorchester, you will benefit from:

• Rapid assessment from an expert Cardiologist – Most cardiac conditions respond best when diagnosed at an early stage. We can arrange a private appointment for you quickly, with a full, accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment available without delay. 
• Consultant-led care – Your Consultant will oversee every aspect of your care, from initial appointment and diagnosis through to treatment planning, treatment, and post-treatment review. With regular reviews, it is easy for your Consultant to make any necessary adjustments along the way. 
• Appointments to suit your schedule – We appreciate that life is often extremely busy. For that reason, we offer flexible appointment times, including weekday evenings, so that you can schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient for you. 
• Patient satisfaction – In an independent survey, 97.7% of patients said they would be extremely likely or likely to recommend their Consultant to their friends or family. This excellent feedback highlights the continued efforts of every member of the Circle Health Group team, working hard every day to ensure each person trusting us with their care receives the very highest level of support.  
• A multi-disciplinary team – To ensure holistic care, your Consultant works closely with our nursing team and specialists in other fields such as radiology.  Straightforward access to this wider team means you will always see the most appropriate specialist for your needs.

You don’t have to wait to have your heart concerns thoroughly assessed. If you’d like to know how one of our experienced specialists can help you, book online today or call us.

Accessing private healthcare is easy, whether paying directly or using private medical insurance.

If you have insurance, we can arrange a direct settlement with your insurance provider, although you should check in advance to see if your treatment is covered. For more information, visit our private medical insurance page.

Content reviewed by Consultant Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist Dr Julian Boullin in January 2025.