Our practice provides comprehensive cardiology care with a focus on careful assessment, appropriate investigation, and individualised management.
Investigations and procedures are selected to answer specific clinical questions and to support clear, evidence-based decision-making.
Coronary angiography is a procedure used to assess the arteries supplying blood to the heart. It is typically considered when symptoms, test results, or clinical risk suggest the possibility of coronary artery disease.
When appropriate, coronary angiography allows for:
clarification of the cause of chest pain or breathlessness
assessment of the severity and pattern of coronary disease
informed decision-making regarding medical therapy or revascularisation
In some cases, angioplasty and stent placement (percutaneous coronary intervention) may be performed during the same procedure. The decision to proceed is based on a careful assessment of symptoms, coronary anatomy, and the expected benefit of intervention.
Not all patients with coronary artery disease require PCI. Intervention is recommended only when it is expected to improve symptoms or outcomes.
Where intervention is appropriate, procedures are performed using contemporary techniques with an emphasis on safety and early recovery.
Detailed discussion, consent, and procedural planning occur during consultation.
Echocardiography is a non-invasive ultrasound test used to assess the structure and function of the heart. It provides detailed information about heart muscle strength, valve function, chamber size, and pressures within the heart.
Echocardiography is commonly used to:
assess causes of breathlessness, chest symptoms, or murmurs
evaluate known or suspected valve disease
monitor heart function over time
guide clinical decision-making in a wide range of cardiac conditions
The need for echocardiography, and the timing of repeat studies, is guided by symptoms and clinical context to ensure testing is appropriate and informative.
Heart rhythm assessment may involve a resting electrocardiogram (ECG) and, where appropriate, longer-term ambulatory monitoring.
A standard ECG provides a snapshot of heart rhythm at a single point in time. However, many rhythm disturbances are intermittent and may not be captured on a brief recording.
To address this, ambulatory monitoring is often used to assess symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, or unexplained episodes of faintness.
We offer extended ambulatory monitoring, using small, discreet, and waterproof devices that can be worn comfortably for periods ranging from 24 hours up to two weeks. This allows for:
improved detection of intermittent rhythm abnormalities
better correlation between symptoms and heart rhythm
greater patient comfort and adherence compared with traditional bulky monitors
The duration and type of monitoring are selected based on symptom frequency and clinical suspicion. Careful selection of monitoring duration often reduces the need for repeated testing.
Twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides a detailed assessment of blood pressure patterns over a full day and night, during normal daily activities and sleep.
ABPM is particularly useful for:
confirming or excluding a diagnosis of hypertension
assessing variable or borderline blood pressure readings
identifying white-coat or masked hypertension
evaluating nocturnal blood pressure patterns
guiding treatment decisions and medication adjustments
Compared with single clinic measurements, ambulatory monitoring offers a more accurate reflection of a person’s usual blood pressure and cardiovascular risk.
The decision to perform ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and how results are interpreted, is guided by clinical context rather than isolated readings. Results are reviewed carefully and discussed in conjunction with symptoms, medical history, and overall risk profile.
Stress testing assesses how the heart responds to exertion and increased workload. It may be used to evaluate symptoms such as chest discomfort, breathlessness, or exercise intolerance.
Stress testing can help:
assess the likelihood of coronary artery disease
evaluate exercise capacity and blood pressure response
identify exercise-related rhythm disturbances
The choice of stress testing, and whether it is appropriate, is guided by individual risk factors, symptoms, and baseline test results. Not all patients require stress testing, and it is used selectively to answer specific clinical questions.