From consultation to aftercare: Your time with HCA Healthcare UK
From the moment you step through the door, until the time you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible with us, every step of the way.
Along with state-of-the-art treatment and luxurious surroundings, one of the ways we can put you at ease is to prepare you for your visit and let you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
If you’re concerned about your heart, we can offer you a GP appointment, often within 24 hours. You’ll be able to discuss your symptoms and medical history with the consultant, and they’ll arrange any imaging or diagnostic tests – often on the same day.
02
Investigations and diagnosis
The tests your consultant arranges will depend on the nature of your condition. You’ll get the results within 48 hours, and your case will be presented to a dedicated cardiac multidisciplinary team, in order to ensure the highest level of medical care.
03
Treatment
While some patients are given a local anaesthetic, others will have a general anaesthetic, which means they’ll be asleep for the procedure. If you have a local anaesthetic, you may also be given a sedative to help you relax.
After your PCI, you may be able to go home the same day. However, if you do stay overnight, you'll be well looked after in one of our beautiful, comfortable rooms.
04
After care
If you do stay overnight, you should be able to return home the next day. You won’t be able to drive for at least a week, so you'll need to arrange for someone to help with your transport.
You can expect to have a bit of bruising or soreness where the catheter was inserted, but please get in touch if it gets worse, starts to swell or if you get a temperature.
We’ll also prescribe medication to help with your recovery, including aspirin to reduce the risk of blood clots, and statins to lower your cholesterol.