CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Ambulatory electrocardiogram
- No. 1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Results within 48 hours
- 99% of patients recommend us to family and friends
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PRIVATE AMBULATORY ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG)
Why choose us?
We’re the UK’s No.1 for private cardiovascular care and our expert teams look after over 36,000 cardiac patients every year. We're the UK's most trusted private care provider too, with 99% of our patients saying they’d recommend us to family and friends.
Choose HCA UK and your ambulatory ECG will be conducted and reviewed by our expert physiologists and your consultant cardiologist. But our specialist care goes far beyond testing - we’ll deliver an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment too, providing exceptional personalised support across our private facilities.
Choose HCA UK and your ambulatory ECG will be conducted and reviewed by our expert physiologists and your consultant cardiologist. But our specialist care goes far beyond testing - we’ll deliver an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment too, providing exceptional personalised support across our private facilities.
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat or fast heart rate, palpitations, dizziness and fainting spells, your GP or cardiologist may recommend that you have an ambulatory ECG. It’s also known as a Holter monitor heart test, and it’s a way to check your heart rhythm.
This is a safe and painless test. It can help our experts to assess the effectiveness of any cardiac treatments you’ve already had and to adjust any medication that you may be taking.
This is a safe and painless test. It can help our experts to assess the effectiveness of any cardiac treatments you’ve already had and to adjust any medication that you may be taking.
A medical device called a Holter monitor is used to measure and record your heart's rate and rhythm. It’s about the size of a matchbox and you’ll need to wear it around your waist or on a cord around your neck continuously for a period of 24 hours, 48 hours or up to seven days. How long depends on your condition, how frequent your symptoms are and what your cardiologist wants to assess.
You'll have three electrode sensors attached to your chest with small sticky pads and wires. These wires are connected to a monitor which accurately captures every single electrical impulse in your heart while you’re wearing it.
If you need a bath or shower, you simply remove the monitor and pads and put them back on when you’re dry. You'll be asked to complete a diary telling us if you have any symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness so that your consultant can start to understand how your heart is behaving.
You'll have three electrode sensors attached to your chest with small sticky pads and wires. These wires are connected to a monitor which accurately captures every single electrical impulse in your heart while you’re wearing it.
If you need a bath or shower, you simply remove the monitor and pads and put them back on when you’re dry. You'll be asked to complete a diary telling us if you have any symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness so that your consultant can start to understand how your heart is behaving.
You won't need to prepare for this test. Your consultant cardiologist will explain how the test works and answer any questions you may have. The monitor will be set up for you at one of our cardiac units, and your team will talk you through what you need to do.
We can confirm your test with a cardiovascular specialist within 24 hours of you requesting an appointment.
After you’ve worn the monitor for the agreed period, your test results will be reviewed by your cardiac specialist, supported at every stage by our team of cardiac physiologists. They’ll use your results to form an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment options, if you need any.
You’ll have your results back within 48 hours, so you won't have too long to wait.
After you’ve worn the monitor for the agreed period, your test results will be reviewed by your cardiac specialist, supported at every stage by our team of cardiac physiologists. They’ll use your results to form an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment options, if you need any.
You’ll have your results back within 48 hours, so you won't have too long to wait.
If your diagnosis reveals that you need treatment or surgery, you’ll have seamless access to HCA UK’s full network of hospitals, theatres and ongoing multidisciplinary care. All our care is available at convenient clinics and hospitals across London and Manchester, with flexible appointment times to fit around your schedule.
Rapid access to tests and scans
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis in as little as 24 hours.
State-of-the-art facilities
Access innovative treatment options.
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any of our 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Where can I get my ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG)?
You can be tested by specialist consultants and dedicated teams at our hospitals and outpatient clinics across London and Manchester.
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
Your private ambulatory echocardiogram with HCA UK
What to expect
An ambulatory ECG is a common test, and we want you to feel as reassured and comfortable as possible at every stage. You’ll find an outline of what to expect in this section, but your team will also answer any questions you have and explain everything you need to know.
01
Referral and booking
Your GP or cardiologist may refer you for an ambulatory ECG with HCA UK if you’re experiencing symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat or fast heart rate, palpitations, dizziness or fainting spells.
02
Preparation
You won't need to prepare for this test. The monitor will be set up for you at one of our cardiac units, and your team will talk you through how the monitor works.
03
During the test
You'll need to wear the Holter monitor around your waist or on a cord that hangs around your neck continuously for a period of 24 hours, 48 hours or up to seven days. You'll be asked to complete a diary telling us if you have any symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness.
04
Next steps
Our cardiac physiologists will analyse your recording and explain the results, and they’ll work with your consultant cardiologist to suggest any next steps.
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.
Ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) FAQ
Yes, your GP or cardiologist can refer you for an ambulatory electrocardiogram if they think it would help with diagnosis and treatment.
The Holter monitor will measure and record your heart's rate and rhythm for a period of 24 hours, 48 hours or up to seven days. How long you need to wear it will depend on your cardiologist and what they want to investigate.
Most results are available within 48 hours, or even sooner. Your consultant will discuss them with you promptly so you’ll have fast, clear answers and can get onto the right treatment pathway as soon as possible.
Our patient stories
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.
Kirti's heart rhythm story
How a life-changing cardiac procedure stopped Kirti worrying about her heart health. Kirti first felt a heart palpitation back in 2016 whilst out shopping. After delaying seeking specialist advice, she sought the expertise of Dr Mike Koa-Wing, Consultant Cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, in 2020 after the palpations got worse. Here Kirti shares her story.
How a health kick revealed a serious heart condition
When the UK went into lockdown in March 2020, like millions of others, 56-year-old House Manager James took the opportunity to introduce some simple daily exercise into his busy work schedule. Little did he know that the changes would reveal a hidden heart condition, that would require a triple heart bypass to fix.
“That human touch you get at each step, the encouragement and support – it all adds up and helps you get through it.”
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