GENERAL PATIENT INFORMATION
Wessex Cardiology LLP recommends the British Heart Foundation and the BBC as sources of information for patients with heart disease and their carers. In addition, the American College of Cardiology of which two of our partners are Fellows, have a dedicated patient website,Cardiosmart. You might also be interested in "Heart Care Partnership" a national representative body for patients and carers.
The British Heart Foundation website is an excellent source of information about all things related to your heart including: prevention, symptoms, tests, treatments and recovery.
The British Heart Foundation website is an excellent source of information about all things related to your heart including: prevention, symptoms, tests, treatments and recovery.
Consultations in outpatient clinic
You can be seen any day Monday-Friday in our pleasant surroundings in our outpatient consulting rooms. You will be seen on a one-to-one basis with a consultant and have the time to have everything clearly explained to you. Any subsequent tests can then be arranged at a time to suit you. If necessary the consultants will arrange to see you for follow up appointments.
What is the advantage of being seen privately?
Waiting lists are far shorter privately than on the NHS. You will have more time with your doctor than you would get for an NHS appointment, which allows you to have the time necessary to ensure everything is well explained without feeling rushed. We generally allow 45 minutes for a new patient slot (you would get less than 30 minutes on the NHS) and 30 minutes for a follow-up appointment (you would get 10-20 minutes on the NHS). Privately you will see an experienced consultant and the same doctor each time you come to clinic. Although on the NHS clinics are overseen by a consultant, due to enormous pressures, you will often see a junior doctor and it is not uncommon for you to be moved from one consultant to another's list. It is important to point out that you will get the same treatment for your condition as you would on the NHS but in a far more relaxed, organised environment in which you are not rushed.
What is the advantage of being seen privately?
Waiting lists are far shorter privately than on the NHS. You will have more time with your doctor than you would get for an NHS appointment, which allows you to have the time necessary to ensure everything is well explained without feeling rushed. We generally allow 45 minutes for a new patient slot (you would get less than 30 minutes on the NHS) and 30 minutes for a follow-up appointment (you would get 10-20 minutes on the NHS). Privately you will see an experienced consultant and the same doctor each time you come to clinic. Although on the NHS clinics are overseen by a consultant, due to enormous pressures, you will often see a junior doctor and it is not uncommon for you to be moved from one consultant to another's list. It is important to point out that you will get the same treatment for your condition as you would on the NHS but in a far more relaxed, organised environment in which you are not rushed.
Symptoms
Click here to be taken to a page where more detailed information on common symptoms can be found.
TESTS AND TREATMENTS FOR YOUR HEART
Tests are generally divided into what are called non-invasive and invasive.
Non-invasive tests include tests such as heart tracings (ECG, 24 hour tape, cardiac memos, exercise treadmill tests), ultrasound studies of your heart (Echocardiography, Stress-echocardiography and trans-oesphageal echocardiography), CT scans, MRI scans and nuclear perfusion scans.
Invasive tests include tests where generally tubes are passed up to the heart to study it in more detail. This is called angiography.
Treatment, if necessary, usually involves a tailor made medication regime for you in addition to lifestyle advice. Occasionally more complex treatments are necessary, including stents, pacemaker insertion, other procedures or surgery. We are able to do stents and pacemakers. If you need another form of procedure, such as an ablation for an electrical disorder then we will refer you to an expert for this. If you need an open heart operation then we will refer you to one of our excellent local surgeons.
Click here to be taken to a page where more detailed information on tests and treatments for your heart can be found.
Non-invasive tests include tests such as heart tracings (ECG, 24 hour tape, cardiac memos, exercise treadmill tests), ultrasound studies of your heart (Echocardiography, Stress-echocardiography and trans-oesphageal echocardiography), CT scans, MRI scans and nuclear perfusion scans.
Invasive tests include tests where generally tubes are passed up to the heart to study it in more detail. This is called angiography.
Treatment, if necessary, usually involves a tailor made medication regime for you in addition to lifestyle advice. Occasionally more complex treatments are necessary, including stents, pacemaker insertion, other procedures or surgery. We are able to do stents and pacemakers. If you need another form of procedure, such as an ablation for an electrical disorder then we will refer you to an expert for this. If you need an open heart operation then we will refer you to one of our excellent local surgeons.
Click here to be taken to a page where more detailed information on tests and treatments for your heart can be found.
Heart failure
Click here to be taken to a page where more detailed information on heart failure can be found.
Renal denervation for high blood pressure
Click here to be taken to a page where more detailed information on this can be found.
