CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Private cardiac MRI scan
- Results to your consultant in as little as 48 hours
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- 99% of cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
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CARDIAC MRI SCAN AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
Across our 15 specialist diagnostic centres, a dedicated consultant will carry out your scan using state-of-the-art technology, ensuring accurate results and expert care at every stage. We perform over 3,000 cardiac MRI scans each year, and 99% of our patients would recommend us to their friends and family.
When you're experiencing heart problems, we understand you want answers as quickly as possible. That's why we offer cardiac MRI scans in as little as 24 hours and provide results to your referring clinician in two days.
A cardiac MRI examines the function and structure of the heart. It's a non-invasive, painless procedure that's performed while you are awake without any anaesthetic. The MRI scanner uses a powerful magnetic field, radiofrequency waves and a computer to create detailed still and moving images of the heart.
These images will show all the different parts of your heart, such as the chambers, muscles and valves, as well as the vessels carrying blood to and from it. These images can help in the early diagnosis and treatment of suspected cardiac conditions.
A private cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or MRI scan can help quickly diagnose a number of heart conditions, including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart muscle conditions such as cardiomyopathy and myocarditis
- Heart valve disease
- Congenital heart diseases (those you are born with)
Your specialist may recommend a cardiac MRI scan if you are experiencing the signs of heart problems. These symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
- Light-headedness
- Unusual breathing
- Fainting
- Seizures
Whether you have a history of heart problems in your family or want to get checked out to give you peace of mind, a private cardiac MRI scan can put your mind at rest.
Unlike other imaging techniques, such as CT scanning, it does not use radiation. This makes it a safe option for repeated imaging, especially for conditions that require ongoing monitoring or when radiation dose is a consideration for paediatric patients.
Next-day scans available
Get on the path to an expert diagnosis in as little as 24 hours.
Highly skilled specialist radiologists
For better scan selections, accurate results and insightful reports.
Wider scanners for a more comfortable experience
Expertise in supporting anxious and claustrophobic patients.
Locations - Hospitals
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres, our leading cardiovascular consultants can help you with everything from your initial consultation to your MRI scan and any further treatment. You can access a private cardiac MRI scan at the following locations:
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Locations - Outpatient Centres
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients
15 - 17 Lodge Road NW8 7JA London
Private Care at Guy's
Great Maze Pond SE1 9RT London
Your patient journey
Your private cardiac MRI scan with HCA UK
At HCA UK, your care will be organised by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of medical professionals with years of experience in cardiology. They'll come together to carry out your scan, analyse the results and, if necessary, offer the most appropriate treatment for you.
Our cardiologists specialise in MRI scanning so that they can diagnose cardiac conditions in more detail. We're always available to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have, but this will give you a good idea of what to expect.
Our cardiologists specialise in MRI scanning so that they can diagnose cardiac conditions in more detail. We're always available to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have, but this will give you a good idea of what to expect.
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Before your cardiac MRI scan
You'll have an initial consultation with your cardiology specialist, who will discuss your medical history and any symptoms you may be experiencing. They'll take the time to explain the procedure so you know what to expect. Your cardiology specialist who refers you for a cardiac MRI will send a referral to our dedicated imaging booking team. The booking team will then send all the information you need and how to prepare for your private MRI scan. If you have a pacemaker or other medical implant, we’ll ask you to provide details.
02
During your cardiac MRI scan
We know that having an MRI scan can be a little daunting for many patients. But we're here with you every step of the way. Your MRI radiographer will guide you through the process, explain safety steps and ask you to complete a questionnaire. You will be given a gown for the scan, and you may be given an injection of ‘contrast’ medication to enhance the images. For your comfort, we can offer music or podcasts to listen to during the scan.
For the scan, you'll lie on a padded bed that will slowly move into the scanner. We ask that you stay as still as possible during the scan, and if you have any concerns, you'll be able to speak to the radiographer via an intercom.
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After your cardiac MRI scan
Once your scan is complete, you'll be able to return home straight away. Your specialist cardiologist will then review your results and invite you to a follow-up appointment to discuss your results. If further treatment is required, your cardiologist will create a personalised treatment plan.
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.
Book an appointment
Private cardiac MRI scan FAQs
Ahead of your scan, your consultant will let you know how to prepare and answer any questions you might have.
Although it's completely safe, the powerful magnetic field used means that not everyone is suitable for the cardiac MRI procedure. For example, it's important to tell your consultant if you are pregnant or if you have:
- An internal defibrillator, a pacemaker or another implanted electronic device
- A cochlear implant
- Artificial heart valves
- Implanted drug ports
- Artificial limbs or metallic joints
- Implanted nerve stimulators
- Surgical clips such as those used on brain aneurysms
- Any pins, screws, plates, stents or surgical staples
In most cases, you’ll still be able to have an MRI scan, but it may take longer to schedule your appointment.
If you have a pacemaker or another type of implant inside your body, it is very important that the radiography team is made aware of this implant before you come for your MRI scan.
You must also remove any metal jewellery prior to your cardiac MRI scan, as it may become damaged or cause problems with the magnets inside the scanner. If you have a particularly hairy chest, then it may be worth shaving it so that the sticky pads that monitor your heart rate can be applied more easily.
Don't worry, though – your expert consultant will go over all of this with you well ahead of time so that you feel fully prepared for your MRI heart scan.
If you have been told in the past that an MRI scan wasn’t suitable for you, let your consultant know. Advances in technology and updated safety guidelines may now mean that the reason you were advised against a scan no longer applies. Your consultant can review your medical history and advise you.
After your scan, you shouldn't experience any pain or side effects. You'll be ready to go home as soon as the scan is complete.
You should remember to drink plenty of fluids to flush out the dye if your heart MRI used a contrast agent. The images from your scan will be analysed and sent to your consultant or referring doctor, who will follow up with any next steps for a personalised treatment plan.
You should remember to drink plenty of fluids to flush out the dye if your heart MRI used a contrast agent. The images from your scan will be analysed and sent to your consultant or referring doctor, who will follow up with any next steps for a personalised treatment plan.
If your scan detects a heart condition, your specialist cardiologist will invite you to a follow-up appointment to discuss your results.
From there, we'll be able to discuss the various treatment options, and you can rest assured we'll always tailor a treatment plan that's the most suitable for you and your condition.
Yes, in most cases you’ll still be able to have an MRI scan, but it may take longer to schedule your appointment.
If you have a pacemaker or another type of implant inside your body, it is very important that the radiography team is made aware of this implant before you come for your MRI scan.
We may need time to request additional documented evidence of the make and model number of your device, who carried out the surgery, and/or in which facility you had the device implanted.
This information will allow the radiography team to establish the safety rating of the implant*, have the radiologist protocol your MRI scan and prepare any safety measures required to carry out your MRI scan safely.
In some cases, implants may require the presence of specialist staff to attend your MRI scan. They may be needed to fit additional kit to your device to make it safe or to monitor you during your scan.
Pacemaker patients, for example, will require a cardiac technician to be present to put your pacemaker into ‘safe mode’ and to reset it when the scan is complete.
*Please note that if your implanted device is found not to be compatible for any reason, then this will be communicated to you and/or your referring doctor or consultant. If you have any further questions or need advice about what alternative imaging techniques are available to you, please consult your doctor or consultant.
If you’re considering referring a patient for a cardiac MRI scan, you’ll need to check what operations or procedures they’ve had, so you can document any implants on the request form. This will allow the MRI radiographers to check the device or implants for their compatibility with MRI, prior to the patient’s appointment.
Implants range from (but are not exclusive to):
- Fixation devices: screws, plates, rods, wires
- Vascular devices: stents, clips, filters, heart valves
- Shunts and pressure monitors
- Mechanical devices like pacemakers/ICD’s, spinal stimulators and cochlear implants
- External mechanical devices: insulin pump/insulin needle monitoring device
- External cardiac monitoring devices, such as ECG leads
- Hearing aids or false teeth
Some devices will need to be switched off and removed prior to entering the scanning room. While others require much more stringent safety measures, and in some cases, may mean that your patient cannot have an MRI scan.
If this is the case, our MRI radiographers will be able to explain the reasons for this.
There are no real risks associated with having an MRI heart scan. It's a painless procedure. If your heart MRI involved a contrast agent being put into your veins, you may feel some tenderness around the area where the dye was injected.
No, an anaesthetic isn’t needed for this scan. If you are worried about feeling anxious, let us know before your appointment. We can help you prepare and may suggest speaking to your GP in advance to discuss the possibility of prescribing you a mild sedative to help you relax.
This is slightly different to a typical MRI. During a cardiac MRI stress test, your consultant will inject some medicine into your vein. This medicine speeds up your heart rate, essentially replicating the effect that exercise has on your heart.
This allows us to see how your heart performs when it is put under stress. It is a safe and painless test, and the effects of the medicine can only be felt for a very short period.
This allows us to see how your heart performs when it is put under stress. It is a safe and painless test, and the effects of the medicine can only be felt for a very short period.
Children under the age of 16 cannot be left unattended while you have your scan. Please arrange childcare for when you visit our facilities for an MRI scan.
However, if you have an adult family member with you when you are visiting us, then they’ll need to be responsible for your child/children while you have your scan.
Please be aware that if you have brought a child with you for a consultation with one of our doctors and they refer you for an MRI scan on the same day, you’ll need to find childcare if you wish to stay for your scan.
Our staff cannot be responsible for your dependents while you undergo any imaging procedure at our facilities. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with our policy that ensures the safety of your children.
Yes, you can. If you require a copy of your images for any reason, please let the radiographer know at the time of your scan.
We have a dedicated team that provides this service and they’re reachable via email at any time after your scan. You’ll need to tell them your full name, date of birth and address, the type of scan you had and the date it took place*.
The team will then be able to contact you (via email) when your images are available and provide instructions on how to access your images. You’ll be able to download a copy of your images for yourself and/or share the images with anyone of your choosing.
*Please be aware that if you do not provide the required information to process your request, this may delay access to your images.
The cost of your MRI scan varies, depending on what body part (or parts) are to be scanned, whether contrast dye is required and if any specialist teams are needed in addition to your MRI scan.
If you need to find out more about our MRI costs, please call the Self Pay team on 0207 234 2948, so we can put you in touch with the relevant team at your chosen facility.
In most cases, we would prefer to do the cardiac MRI scan after the baby is born for the safety of you and your unborn child. However, if your referring doctor believes your particular health issue may be of an urgent nature and the risks of not doing the MRI outweigh the risks to you and the baby, then an MRI may be considered in this case.
Your referring doctor will communicate the risks and benefits of this procedure to you, for your consent and consult our consultant radiologist for advice prior to agreeing to your MRI scan.
Our patients' stories
Judith's cardiac treatment
For years, Judith knew there was something wrong with her heart. At London Bridge Hospital, she finally had the life-changing treatment she needed.
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.
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.
“Very good communicator, calm, offering clear explanations and giving ample time for follow-up questions. A great experience - thank you, Dr Guttman.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.