Cardiac investigations and procedures

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A quick, painless recording of your heart's electrical activity.

Echocardiogram

An ultrasound scan of your heart to assess how it is pumping and check the valves.

Ambulatory ECG monitoring

A portable heart monitor worn for 24 hours to 7 days to detect rhythm problems.

Exercise stress test

Monitoring your heart while you exercise to check for reduced blood flow.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

A cuff worn for 24 hours to get an accurate picture of your blood pressure.

CT coronary angiogram

A CT scan of the heart arteries that looks for narrowing or plaque without a catheter.

Cardiac MRI

A detailed scan of the heart muscle to assess its structure, function and any scarring, without radiation.

Coronary angiography

A catheter-based test to look directly at the arteries supplying your heart. All procedures carry risks, which are explained and discussed with you at consultation.

Coronary angioplasty and stenting (PCI)

Opening a narrowed or blocked heart artery and placing a stent to keep it open. All procedures carry risks, which are explained and discussed with you at consultation.

Invasive coronary function testing

Catheter-based assessment of the heart's small blood vessels, including measurement of blood flow and provocation testing for spasm, to diagnose microvascular angina and vasospastic angina when the main arteries look normal. All procedures carry risks, which are explained and discussed with you at consultation.

Implantable loop recorder

A small heart monitor placed under the skin to record your rhythm for up to a few years, used to investigate blackouts or infrequent palpitations. All procedures carry risks, which are explained and discussed with you at consultation.

DC cardioversion

A brief, controlled electrical treatment given under short sedation to restore a normal rhythm in arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. All procedures carry risks, which are explained and discussed with you at consultation.