CARDIAC
Private Cardiac Diagnostics
Clinician-led private cardiac testing at our CQC-registered clinic, with reporting by GMC-registered consultant cardiologists or radiologists. Every package includes a private GP pre-test consultation, the test itself, expert reporting, and written GP comments on your results.
A £25 prepayment is taken at booking and fully deducted from each package price.
Compare at a glance
ECG £100 | 24hr ECG £350 | 48hr ECG £400 | ECHO £300 | Cardiac MRI £775 | |
What it shows | Electrical rhythm (snapshot) | Rhythm over 24 hours | Rhythm over 48 hours | Heart structure and function | Detailed heart anatomy and tissue |
Appointment time | 15–20 min | 15 min fitting + 24 hr wear | 15 min fitting + 48 hr wear | 30–45 min | 45–60 min |
Radiation | None | None | None | None | None |
Best for | Resting rhythm, baseline check | Intermittent palpitations | Less frequent palpitations | Valve and muscle assessment | Complex or inconclusive findings |
Report turnaround | 24–72 hrs | 5–7 days | 5–7 days | 24–72 hrs | 7–10 days |
ECG (Electrocardiogram) — £100
A fast, painless recording of the heart's electrical activity using small adhesive electrodes on the chest, arms, and legs. The full appointment lasts 15–20 minutes.
Best for: palpitations, chest discomfort, dizziness, breathlessness, pre-operative or pre-employment screening, sports assessments, and monitoring known heart conditions.
Limitations: an ECG captures a short snapshot. It is excellent for persistent rhythm or electrical abnormalities but may miss intermittent issues. If symptoms come and go, a 24- or 48-hour ECG may be more appropriate. ECG provides limited information about heart structure — an ECHO or Cardiac MRI is better for that.
24-hour ECG (Holter Monitor) — £350
A small, lightweight portable device records your heart's rhythm continuously for 24 hours while you go about your normal day. Electrodes are fitted at the clinic; you return the device the next day.
Best for: intermittent palpitations, dizziness, suspected atrial fibrillation, unexplained blackouts, and assessing response to rhythm medication when symptoms occur most days.
What to expect: the monitor is worn discreetly under clothing. You can move and sleep normally, but should avoid bathing, swimming, or contact sports during recording. You'll keep a brief symptom diary.
48-hour ECG (Extended Holter Monitor) — £400
The same continuous recording as a 24-hour monitor, extended to 48 hours. Doubles the chance of capturing symptoms that don't occur every day.
Best for: less frequent palpitations or rhythm symptoms, or where a 24-hour recording was inconclusive. For symptoms occurring weekly or less, longer external loop or implantable monitors may be more appropriate — your GP will advise.
What to expect: the same as the 24-hour test, worn for an additional 24 hours.
Echocardiogram (ECHO) — £300
A specialist heart ultrasound using sound waves — no radiation — to produce real-time moving images of the heart's chambers, walls, and valves. Performed by an experienced cardiac sonographer; takes 30–45 minutes.
Best for: assessing heart function, valve disease (stenosis, regurgitation, prolapse), cardiomyopathies, suspected heart failure, congenital structural problems, pulmonary hypertension assessment, and post-heart-attack monitoring.
Limitations: ECHO is excellent for structure and function but does not record rhythm over time. Image quality can be limited in some patients (chest wall, lung disease, body habitus). If findings are inconclusive, a Cardiac MRI may be the next step.
Cardiac MRI — £775
The most detailed non-invasive imaging of the heart available. Uses powerful magnets and radio waves with ECG-gating to capture every phase of the cardiac cycle. Offers unmatched tissue characterisation — identifying inflammation (myocarditis), scarring, cardiomyopathies, congenital disease, and cardiac masses — and is often the answer when ECHO or CT findings are inconclusive.
Best for: suspected cardiomyopathy (including hypertrophic and dilated), myocarditis, congenital heart disease assessment, cardiac masses, scar quantification after heart attack, and inconclusive findings on other tests.
Important: Cardiac MRI uses strong magnetic fields. Please tell us before booking if you have any metal implants, a pacemaker or ICD (some are MRI-conditional), cochlear implants, certain aneurysm clips, recent surgery, or claustrophobia. Contrast (gadolinium) may be used and is discussed at the pre-test consultation.
How it works
Your private GP pre-test consultation confirms the test is right for you. Tests are performed at our clinic by experienced cardiac clinicians, and reported by a GMC-registered consultant cardiologist or radiologist. A GP reviews every report and provides written comments.
Choosing the right test
Many cardiac assessments start with ECG + ECHO. A 24- or 48-hour ECG is added when symptoms are intermittent. Cardiac MRI is added when more detailed tissue characterisation is needed, or when other tests are inconclusive. Your GP will recommend the right combination at consultation.
Important: when to seek urgent care
These are scheduled diagnostic tests. If you have severe or new chest pain, sudden breathlessness, fainting, or symptoms of a possible heart attack or stroke, call 999 or go to A&E — do not book a private test.
Clinical follow-up
From £50 (phone/video) or £80 (in person) to discuss findings or plan further investigation. Urgent results are communicated promptly at no additional charge.
About our service
Northwest Health is registered with and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
