CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
CONGENITAL HEART CARE
The UK’s No.1 provider of private cardiac care
- Diagnostic centres across the UK
- Specialist cardiac hospitals in London, Birmingham and Manchester
- Innovative treatment options, including minimally invasive procedures
CONGENITAL HEART CARE AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
We’re the UK’s leading private provider of cardiac care, treating more than 36,000 cardiac patients each year, with a 99% success rate across all cardiac surgery.
At HCA UK, that expertise is focused on delivering exceptional care for people with congenital heart conditions. Your treatment will be planned by a multidisciplinary team including congenital heart specialists, cardiac surgeons, imaging experts and clinical nurses, all working closely together to support every aspect of your care. Together, they’ll create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and designed with your long-term health in mind.
No.1in the UK for private cardiac care
99%of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
99%Success rate across all cardiac surgery
Next-day appointments
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any one of 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham
CONGENITAL HEART CARE AT HCA UK
Specialist care for congenital heart conditions
We provide expert diagnosis, treatment and long-term support for children and adults living with congenital heart conditions. Using advanced diagnostics and highly specialised care, we treat a wide range of congenital heart diseases and birth heart defects, including:
Cardiac arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is any disturbance of the normal electrical activity of your heart, causing an irregular or abnormally fast or slow heartbeat. They’re common and often highly treatable or manageable.
Heart valve care
Heart valve care involves the diagnosis and treatment of heart valve conditions. Treatment options include medication, minimally invasive procedures, such as a TAVI, and conventional open-heart surgery.
Ebstein's anomaly
Rare heart defect. Our cardiology experts can help to treat you or your child if you or they have Ebstein's anomaly.
Patent foraman ovale closure
This minimally invasive surgery can close a hole in your heart and help reduce your risk of stroke and embolisms. Get in touch to see if our expert cardiologists can help.
Atrial septal defect (hole in the heart)
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole between the heart’s upper chambers that lets blood flow abnormally between them, which can place extra strain on the heart over time.
Narrowing of the aorta (aortic coarctation)
Aortic coarctation is a tightening of the body’s main artery, which restricts blood flow and can make the heart work harder to pump blood around the body.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (hole in the heart)
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is a small opening between major blood vessels near the heart that doesn’t close after birth, allowing blood to flow abnormally and increasing strain on the heart.
Tetralogy of Fallot
Tetralogy of Fallot is a combination of four heart abnormalities that affect blood flow, reducing oxygen levels in the blood and causing symptoms such as breathlessness or a bluish tint to the skin.
Transposition of the great arteries
Transposition of the great arteries is a condition where the main blood vessels leaving the heart are reversed, disrupting normal blood flow and reducing the amount of oxygen reaching the body.
Ventricular septal defect (hole in the heart)
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a condition in which a hole between the heart’s lower chambers allows blood to pass between them, meaning the heart has to work harder to effectively circulate blood.
CONGENITAL HEART CARE AT HCA UK
Get the expert treatment you need
We provide expert treatment for congenital heart conditions, combining advanced surgical and minimally invasive techniques with personalised care to achieve safe, effective and lasting outcomes. This includes:
Hole in the heart surgery
A hole in the heart is a congenital condition that allows blood to flow between chambers. We use minimally invasive techniques to close the hole without the need for open heart surgery.
Aortic valve surgery
A surgical procedure to correct aortic valve problems by either repairing a damaged valve or replacing it to restore heart function.
Heart valve surgery
A surgical procedure to correct heart valve problems by either repairing a damaged valve or replacing it with a new valve.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
YOUR CONGENITAL HEART CARE AT HCA UK
What to expect
Living with congenital heart disease can be stressful, so we’re here to make the care and treatment process as comfortable and reassuring as possible. This will give you a good idea of what to expect.
01
Initial consultation
The first step in any care or treatment is to be referred to one of our congenital heart care specialists for an initial consultation. You or your child can be referred by your own GP or one of our GPs here at HCA UK, and you can also self-refer by calling our cardiac referral line on 020 7616 4988. We should be able to get you an appointment within 24 hours, or as soon as it’s convenient.
Your consultant will ask about heart symptoms, carry out a physical examination and ask about any relevant medical history, your overall health and any previous or current treatments you’ve had. They’ll arrange for diagnostic tests and scans to get the most detailed picture of you or your child’s heart health.
Your consultant will ask about heart symptoms, carry out a physical examination and ask about any relevant medical history, your overall health and any previous or current treatments you’ve had. They’ll arrange for diagnostic tests and scans to get the most detailed picture of you or your child’s heart health.
02
Tests and scans
There are specific tests and scans to help determine the best possible treatment for congenital heart conditions, and they can help to look at how the heart is functioning, as well as its shape and structures. Common tests and scans include:
- Cardiac CT scan to create 3D images of the heart and coronary arteries
- Cardiac MRI scan to assess the structure and function of the heart
- Echocardiogram (ECHO) to see the structure of the heart and valves and assess their function
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the heart’s rhythm and electrical activity
Your consultant will explain any tests and scans that are needed, and you’ll be fully informed and prepared beforehand.
03
Results and next steps
It can be stressful to wait for important information, so we’ll make sure your results are available within 48 hours. The next step is a consultation with your congenital heart specialist to discuss those results, their diagnosis and the potential treatment options. You’ll work together to decide on the best way to move forward.
04
Treatment
Congenital heart care covers a wide range of conditions, which all have their own specific treatment options and timings, depending on you or your child’s health, age and lifestyle. We want to ensure that any treatment is precisely tailored to the condition, so your consultant will discuss your options in detail and make sure you’re comfortable. You’ll be able to ask any questions, helped to weigh up any risks and benefits, and your consultant will support you to make an informed decision about the best way to treat the condition. If any further tests or specialist help are needed, we can seamlessly arrange that within the extensive HCA UK network.
05
Follow-up and ongoing support
Whatever treatment you require, you’ll be fully supported afterwards by your consultant and their team. They’ll give you all the advice and information you need to manage recovery and any ongoing condition, from lifestyle changes to medication and follow-up appointments. You’ll always be in safe, caring hands.
Where can I get congenital heart care?
We’ll ensure you get the very highest standard of cardiac care at our network of clinics and hospitals across the UK.
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Devonshire Diagnostic Centre
13-19 Devonshire Street Marylebone W1G 7AF London
Congenital heart care FAQs
A congenital heart condition is a birth heart defect that develops before birth, as the heart forms in the womb. These conditions can often affect the physical structure of the heart, such as a 'hole-in-the-heart' between the chambers of your heart, or a narrowed or leaky heart valve.
Most congenital heart conditions aren’t inherited from your parents, but some can have a genetic component. In a small number of cases, they may be linked to inherited conditions or genetic syndromes. If you have a family history of heart defects, your consultant may recommend screening or genetic advice to better understand any potential risk.
An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat, caused by disruptions to your heart’s electrical impulses. Many arrhythmias become more common with age and can be influenced by factors such as underlying heart disease, lifestyle and overall health.
However, arrhythmias are more common if you have a congenital heart condition, and particularly if you’ve had corrective surgery for it.
That’s because the heart’s structural abnormality, and any previous surgery, can lead to scar tissue forming in your heart. This can affect the stability of the heart’s electrical signals and change its rhythm.
However, arrhythmias are more common if you have a congenital heart condition, and particularly if you’ve had corrective surgery for it.
That’s because the heart’s structural abnormality, and any previous surgery, can lead to scar tissue forming in your heart. This can affect the stability of the heart’s electrical signals and change its rhythm.
Changes to your heart rhythm can show up in many ways. You may not experience any symptoms at all, or you might just feel tired and not up to your usual level of function. Lots of people don’t know they have an arrhythmia until they have a check-up.
In some cases, the symptoms are much more obvious. You might feel your heart’s racing and beating very fast, lose consciousness or, in extreme cases, go into cardiac arrest. If you experience any of those symptoms, you should seek emergency medical help immediately.
The following symptoms can be a sign of an arrhythmia, but they don’t necessarily mean you have a congenital heart condition.
Talk to a GP or a specialist if you experience any of these symptoms:
- dizziness
- fainting (syncope)
- heart palpitations
- shortness of breath
Your consultant will use your medical history as a basis for diagnosing changes to your heart’s rhythm. If you’re experiencing sensations that could indicate a rapid heartbeat, a missed or extra heartbeat, or something more serious such as a collapse, an ECG can give very useful diagnostic information.
We can also assess the structure of the heart with an echocardiogram, an ultrasound scan that lets your consultant see the size of your heart muscle, its chambers and how its valves are functioning.
You might also need a cardiac CT scan or a cardiac MRI scan to look at your heart function and see if there’s any evidence of scarring on your heart.
We can also assess the structure of the heart with an echocardiogram, an ultrasound scan that lets your consultant see the size of your heart muscle, its chambers and how its valves are functioning.
You might also need a cardiac CT scan or a cardiac MRI scan to look at your heart function and see if there’s any evidence of scarring on your heart.
Congenital heart conditions can be treated several different ways. This can include monitoring, medication, catheter-based procedures, minimally invasive interventions or surgery, depending on the condition.
If you have an arrhythmia, ablation is often recommended as a treatment. It’s a minimally invasive procedure where electrodes are passed into your heart through a vein at the top of your leg. Your surgeon cauterises or freezes the areas of your heart that are affecting its rhythm.
Your consultant will discuss your specific condition and treatment options with you in detail, before precisely tailoring your treatment.
If you have an arrhythmia, ablation is often recommended as a treatment. It’s a minimally invasive procedure where electrodes are passed into your heart through a vein at the top of your leg. Your surgeon cauterises or freezes the areas of your heart that are affecting its rhythm.
Your consultant will discuss your specific condition and treatment options with you in detail, before precisely tailoring your treatment.
Congenital heart disease results from abnormal cardiac development in the womb. These changes can be sporadic, or due to genetic factors, chromosome abnormalities, or maternal health during pregnancy. It’s not always possible to identify a specific cause. At HCA UK, you can benefit from our advanced diagnostics, genetic testing pathways, and specialist cardiology support.
Common symptoms of congenital heart disease in infants and children can include breathlessness, poor feeding, slow growth, fatigue or a blue tint on their skin. Those symptoms can vary in intensity, depending on how severe the congenital heart issue is.
At HCA UK, your child can get fast access to an expert consultant and our leading private paediatric cardiac care.
At HCA UK, your child can get fast access to an expert consultant and our leading private paediatric cardiac care.
They’re fairly common. Around 1 in 100 babies is born with a congenital heart defect of some kind, and it’s one of the most likely birth defects to affect a newborn. Those defects can also have a wide range of severity.
If you’re worried about your baby or young child’s heart, our neonatal unit can offer advanced screening and early assessment for newborns and children to help give you clarity and peace of mind.
If you’re worried about your baby or young child’s heart, our neonatal unit can offer advanced screening and early assessment for newborns and children to help give you clarity and peace of mind.
Yes, they can. Antenatal scans such as fetal echocardiography can help identify many congenital heart defects and get your newborn on a pathway to effective treatment as early as possible. HCA UK’s specialist maternity teams and foetal medicine experts can help you get the clearest possible picture of your pregnancy and the future health of your baby. Get in touch if you’d like to discuss a private fetal cardiac scan.
Recovering from congenital heart surgery will vary, depending on how severe the condition is, the type of surgery and how old the patient is. Recovery may include time in intensive care, before being transferred to a comfortable private room so your team can closely monitor how it’s going. HCA UK’s multidisciplinary recovery support includes cardiac surgeons, nurses, and paediatric rehabilitation teams.
Many congenital heart disease patients need lifelong care for surveillance, even after surgery. We can carefully monitor the patient’s clinical status, and assess for longer term changes and consequences of congenital heart disease.
All major surgery has risks, and congenital heart surgery is no exception. There’s a risk of infection, bleeding, blood clots, and the need for further procedures. You or your child’s specific risk levels depend on the condition and the type of surgery it requires.
HCA UK’s specialist surgical teams will always provide excellent high dependency care and monitor post-operative recovery carefully.
HCA UK’s specialist surgical teams will always provide excellent high dependency care and monitor post-operative recovery carefully.
Yes, it can. If you have a history of congenital heart disease it’s perfectly possible to have a totally healthy pregnancy, but you’ll need to be carefully monitored to make sure everything’s OK. At HCA UK, you’ll be safely cared for by our dedicated cardiology and obstetric teams, and benefit from our extensive maternity and cardiology expertise.
Our patients’ stories
Solving Alex’s undiagnosed heart condition
At the age of 12, dancer Alex Brookes began experiencing irregular heart palpations. After initially being told it was nothing to worry about, her symptoms persisted and her mum decided it was best to seek medical advice and chose The Portland Hospital.
"I thought I'd never dive again"
Aithne was diagnosed with a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or a ‘hole in the heart', and was treated by Dr Brian Clapp, Consultant Cardiologist at London Bridge Hospital, so she could get back to doing the thing she loved most: diving.
A simple heart screening revealed Mahmoud’s tumour
At 55, Mahmoud had never felt fitter. The orthodontist from northwest London enjoyed daily exercise classes and a range of sports. It was only when a relative was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease that his wife suggested he arrange a routine heart health check-up.
“I couldn’t be happier…I now understand my condition and what this means for my body so now I don’t have to worry so much.”
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