If you can’t or would rather not travel, we also offer an online consultation service. As with our clinical consultation any ongoing care or investigation that is recommended can be done within Venturi or referred back into NHS service. As with all our Venturi consultations you will receive a letter outlining the outcome of the consultation and recommendations.

An echocardiogram – also known as an echo – is a non-invasive test that uses soundwaves to build up pictures of your heart. It’s the same kind of ultrasound technology that is used to scan pregnant women, as well as a range of other health applications.

An electrocardiogram (ECG – or EKG in the US) is a standard non-invasive cardiovascular test that records the electrical activity of your heart to measure its rate and rhythm. The recorded electrical waves can be analysed to look for evidence of cardiovascular problems including (but not limited to) heart chamber enlargement, heart muscle thickness and previous heart muscle damage.

At Venturi Cardiology we conduct 12-lead ECG scans, which are then analysed by a consultant cardiologist. They will explain the results to you and how they relate to the condition of your heart. An ECG is usually one of the first tests that you will have and is often a test that is repeated to monitor changes over time.

We will provide you and your GP with a copy of your ECG and the report so it can be referred back to if necessary. If you have had an ECG before and a copy is available, then we can make comparisons when we do ours, in order to look for any significant changes.

A lipid profile test, also known as a cholesterol or lipid panel test, measures the levels of fats and cholesterol in your blood. It can help predict your risk of heart disease and stroke, and may be ordered if you have a family history of these conditions, or if you have other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or being overweight.

NTProBNP is a blood test that can indicate if you have heart failure. If it is positive, it usually means you would need an echocardiogram to assess the heart pumping function and valves. Having the test is straight forward and involves a quick finger prick blood sample

This is one of the more detailed types of scan available. X-ray dye is injected through a small tube in your arm vein, and the scan is timed to take pictures of the colouring travelling through your coronary arteries. The scans are reconstructed using software to create highly detailed 2D and 3D images of the vessel. These images can show narrowing due to soft plaque with a high degree of accuracy. Soft, mixed plaques are more likely to cause heart attacks. If no plaque is visible your risk of a cardiac event is extremely low.

A urea and electrolytes (U&E) blood test measures chemicals in the blood, such as urea, sodium, potassium and creatinine, to assess kidney function and fluid and electrolyte status. The test can also help investigate acid-base disturbances and provide information about blood volume and pH.