What Will Happen At My Appointment?

You will have a consultation with one of our doctors, who specialise in cardiac problems. He or she will ask you about your symptoms, your general health and lifestyle and your medical history. They may decide you need some diagnostic tests like those listed below. These will usually be carried out by one of our cardiac technicians or a physiologist.

How Long Will My Appointment Take?

Your appointment could take up to one hour, particularly if you need to have one or more tests.

What Tests Might I Have?

You may not need any tests at this stage. However the doctor may decide that it would be helpful for you to have one or more of the following tests to help with diagnosis.

• ECG – this can be carried out during your appointment. It is a simple, painless test to check your heart’s rhythm.
• Ambulatory ECG Monitor – you may be asked to wear this small portable ECG monitor for up to a week to measure your heart’s rhythm over a period of time.
• Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor – you may be asked to wear a small device for 24 hours to get an accurate picture of your blood pressure over a period of time.
• Echocardiogram – you will probably be given an additional appointment if you need an echocardiogram as it takes a good 30 minutes to carry

What Happens After My Appointment?

The doctor may decide that you do not need any medical treatment at this stage but may recommend some lifestyle changes. They will write to both you and your GP to confirm this.
If you have some tests or are asked to wear a monitor for a set period of time, then we may need to see you again at a follow-up appointment. Our doctor will then write to you and your GP with the results and recommendations for a care plan.
Some patients may need further investigation and treatment with a consultant cardiologist at the hospital. We will arrange an appointment for you and inform your GP.

How Do I Change Or Cancel My Appointment?

We understand that there are sometimes unforeseen circumstances that mean you cannot make your appointment but if you do not let us know, you may be putting your health at risk.

If you cannot attend your appointment it’s essential you tell us as soon as possible so that we can reschedule and free up your original appointment for another patient.

Who Will I See At My Appointment?

Your appointment will be with one of our doctors –. They will talk to you about your symptoms, your general health and medical history. They will recommend a care plan, which may involve lifestyle changes (such as losing weight), medication, further tests or seeing at Community Cardiac Services