You should see a cardiologist if you have symptoms that could point to a heart problem, such as chest pain or tightness, unexplained breathlessness, palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, dizziness or blackouts, or persistent swelling in the legs and ankles. You should also consider a check if you have significant risk factors even without symptoms, including high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease or sudden cardiac death. You

A cardiac event recorder is a portable ECG device that records your heart's electrical activity around the time you experience symptoms, worn over an extended period so it can capture rhythm problems that come and go. Unlike a standard ECG, which takes a 10-second snapshot in clinic, or a continuous Holter monitor, which typically records everything for 24 hours to 7 days, an event recorder is built to catch infrequent episodes. It does this by saving a recording either when

The main reason people choose a private cardiologist over the NHS is speed of access, followed closely by continuity of care and the ability to choose the consultant they see. Where a routine NHS cardiology referral can involve a wait of several weeks to a few months, a private appointment can usually be arranged within days, often with the diagnostic tests completed in the same visit. For someone with symptoms such as chest discomfort, breathlessness, or palpitations, that d

A DVLA medical test is a set of heart investigations used to confirm whether a cardiac condition affects your fitness to drive, and at Heartsure in Kingston-upon-Thames we provide these assessments for drivers across Surrey and the surrounding area. If the DVLA has written to you asking for a cardiac examination, it usually means you have a heart condition, or a suspected one, that falls under their medical standards, and they need objective evidence about how well your heart

An echocardiogram works by sending high-frequency sound waves into the chest and reading the echoes that bounce back. A handheld probe, pressed against the skin through a layer of gel, emits ultrasound pulses that travel through soft tissue and reflect off the boundaries between structures of differing density, such as heart muscle, valve leaflets, and the blood inside the chambers. The probe picks up those returning echoes, and a computer converts the timing and strength of

The sensation of your heart skipping a beat is almost always caused by an ectopic beat, an extra heartbeat that arrives slightly early and briefly disrupts your normal rhythm. What you actually feel as a "skip" is usually the short pause that follows the early beat, then the next beat landing harder than usual because the heart has had extra time to fill. Ectopic beats are extremely common, happen in almost everyone at some point, and in the vast majority of cases are complet

Leg swelling can point to several heart problems, with heart failure being by far the most common cardiac cause. When the heart can't pump efficiently, blood backs up in the veins and fluid is pushed out into the surrounding tissue, settling under gravity into the ankles, feet, and lower legs. Other cardiac causes include valve disease (especially right-sided problems), poorly controlled atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, and pericardial disease. That said, not ever

Feeling your heart pounding at night is usually caused by one of three things. Your nervous system is in a heightened state from stress, caffeine, alcohol, or poor sleep, your body is responding to a hormonal or metabolic trigger such as low blood sugar or perimenopause, or your heart rhythm itself is misbehaving. In most cases the cause is benign and resolves with lifestyle changes. But because lying still in a quiet room makes your heartbeat far more noticeable than during

Chest pain can indicate a range of heart problems, from temporary reduced blood flow to the heart muscle (angina) through to a heart attack, inflammation of the heart muscle or its surrounding sac (myocarditis or pericarditis), valve disease, and abnormal heart rhythms. Not every episode of chest pain is cardiac in origin, and in our experience around half of the patients we assess for chest pain turn out to have a non-cardiac cause. But because the conditions that are cardia

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a circulatory condition where the arteries supplying blood to your legs, and sometimes arms, become narrowed or blocked by a build-up of fatty deposits called plaque. This restricts blood flow to the muscles, most commonly causing cramping or aching pain in the calves, thighs, or buttocks when walking, which eases with rest. PAD is a form of cardiovascular disease and shares the same underlying process as coronary heart disease, which is w

Feeling dizzy during exercise usually points to one of three things. Your blood pressure is dropping when it shouldn't, your heart rhythm is misbehaving, or your body isn't getting enough fuel or fluid to keep up with what you're asking of it. In most cases it's harmless, often down to dehydration, low blood sugar, or pushing too hard too quickly. But when dizziness happens repeatedly, comes on suddenly, or is paired with chest discomfort, breathlessness, or a racing heartbea

Cardioversion is a common procedure used to restore a normal heart rhythm, most often in people with atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias. If you’ve recently had a cardioversion, or you’re preparing for one, the key question is what happens next. In simple terms, recovery is usually quick, but the focus afterwards is on monitoring your rhythm, managing medication, and reducing the chance of the abnormal rhythm returning. From working with patients undergoing cardioversion

Waking up short of breath can feel alarming, especially if it happens more than once. If you’re experiencing this, the key question is whether it’s linked to your heart, lungs, or something more manageable like sleep position or anxiety. In cardiology, waking up short of breath is often associated with how well the heart is pumping and how fluid is managed in the body overnight. It’s not something to ignore, particularly if it’s recurring. From working with patients, we’ve fo

Long QT Syndrome is a heart rhythm condition where the heart takes longer than normal to reset between beats. This delay affects the heart’s electrical system and can increase the risk of fainting, dangerous arrhythmias, and in rare cases, sudden cardiac arrest. If you’re searching for what Long QT Syndrome is, the key point is this: it can be serious, but it is manageable when identified early and monitored properly. From working with cardiology patients, we’ve found that Lo

Ectopic beats are extra heartbeats that occur outside the heart’s normal rhythm. They are extremely common and, in most cases, harmless. Many people describe them as a flutter, a sudden thump in the chest, or the feeling that the heart has skipped a beat. If you’ve been experiencing these sensations, the key thing to know is that ectopic beats are often benign, but frequent or worsening symptoms should still be properly assessed. From working with cardiology patients, we’ve f

Palpitations are the sensation of being aware of your heartbeat, whether it feels fast, irregular, forceful, or like it’s skipping beats. If you’re experiencing palpitations, the key question is whether they are harmless or linked to an underlying heart problem. In most cases, palpitations are benign, but persistent, sudden, or worsening episodes can indicate a heart rhythm issue or another cardiac condition that should be assessed. From working with patients, we’ve found tha

Fainting , also known as syncope, can be a worrying experience, especially if it happens suddenly or without warning. While fainting is often caused by something relatively harmless such as dehydration or standing up too quickly, it can sometimes be linked to underlying heart problems. As someone who regularly assesses patients with episodes of fainting, I often explain that understanding the cause is key. In some cases, fainting may be an important warning sign that the hear

Heart valves are an essential part of how the heart works. They control the direction of blood flow through the heart’s chambers and ensure that blood moves efficiently around the body. When heart valves open and close properly, blood flows smoothly in the correct direction. If a valve does not function correctly, it can disrupt circulation and place extra strain on the heart. Understanding how heart valves work and what problems can affect them can help people recognise sym

Plaque build up in the heart refers to the gradual accumulation of fatty deposits inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen rich blood to the heart muscle. Over time, plaque can narrow or block these vessels, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of serious conditions such as angina or heart attack. Regularly our clinic assesses patients with coronary artery disease , we often explain that plaque develops slowly and silently. Many people do not realise

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms people experience, and in many cases it is linked to lifestyle factors such as stress, poor sleep, or a busy routine. However, persistent or unexplained fatigue can sometimes indicate an underlying heart problem. Our cardiology clinic regularly assesses patients with ongoing tiredness, we often explain that the heart plays a central role in supplying oxygen rich blood to the body. If it is not working efficiently, fatigue can develo