CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Cardiac CT scan
- No. 1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Over 13,000 cardiac CT scans performed in the last 3 years*
- 99% of patients recommend us to family and friends
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CARDIAC CT SCAN AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
If heart symptoms are affecting your quality of life, we’re here to help. At HCA UK, we provide exceptional specialist cardiac diagnostics and imaging, including CT coronary angiogram with calcium scoring.
When you need fast access to advanced diagnostics, we can confirm your cardiac CT scan with a cardiovascular specialist within 24 hours. Test results are usually sent within 48 hours**, so you’ll get the answers you need without the wait.
With over 36,000 cardiac patients per year, we're the UK's most trusted private care provider.
Cardiac CT combines computed tomography (CT) with high-resolution X-rays, to create 3D images of your heart and coronary arteries. This scan is able to accurately detect the presence and extent of arterial plaques before they are detectable by other techniques.
We can also carry out a heart calcium score test to measure calcified plaque within the heart arteries. This offers a powerful estimate of your risk of future heart attacks and allows you to begin early protective treatment.
We can also carry out a heart calcium score test to measure calcified plaque within the heart arteries. This offers a powerful estimate of your risk of future heart attacks and allows you to begin early protective treatment.
A CT scan usually lasts between 15 to 20 minutes and is done as an outpatient appointment.
At HCA UK, we work with the most advanced cardiac imaging equipment, including the advanced CT-based bioengineering technique, Fractional Flow Reserve Derived from Coronary CT (FFR-CT) to assess blood flow to the heart.
HCA UK is also the UK’s only private healthcare network to offer CaRi-Heart® for self-pay patients at The Harley Street Clinic. This revolutionary new AI-based technology can detect underlying heart risks. Using artificial intelligence to analyse the findings of a routine CT coronary angiogram scan, CaRi-Heart® measures blood vessel inflammation to identify the likelihood of a heart attack in the future.
The service is available to patients with a referral from their GP or consultant and can provide reassurance to those who have pre-existing heart problems or heart disease in the family. If results suggest an increased risk of heart attack, our team can begin working with you to put preventative measures in place.
HCA UK is also the UK’s only private healthcare network to offer CaRi-Heart® for self-pay patients at The Harley Street Clinic. This revolutionary new AI-based technology can detect underlying heart risks. Using artificial intelligence to analyse the findings of a routine CT coronary angiogram scan, CaRi-Heart® measures blood vessel inflammation to identify the likelihood of a heart attack in the future.
The service is available to patients with a referral from their GP or consultant and can provide reassurance to those who have pre-existing heart problems or heart disease in the family. If results suggest an increased risk of heart attack, our team can begin working with you to put preventative measures in place.
All our test results are reviewed and reported on by either an imaging cardiologist consultant or a cardiothoracic radiologist to deliver an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment options.
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.
Locations
Where can I get my cardiac CT scan?
With a network of high-quality facilities offering advanced diagnostics and innovative treatments across London, Manchester and Birmingham, we’re here for you.
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
Your cardiac CT scan with HCA UK
What to expect
From your initial consultation through to diagnosis and treatment, we want you to feel informed and reassured. We’re always available to answer any questions you may have, but this will give you a good idea of what to expect.
You’ll be in good hands – all our scans are carried out by our expert teams of cardiac specialists and radiographers who will support you through the whole process.
You’ll be in good hands – all our scans are carried out by our expert teams of cardiac specialists and radiographers who will support you through the whole process.
01
Before your scan
Your consultant will explain the test to you and answer any questions you may have. You’ll be asked not to consume a heavy meal for at least four hours prior to the scan, and to avoid caffeine-based products for up to 12 hours before your appointment. You may also be asked to take some tablets (beta-blockers) prior to your scan to safely slow down and regulate your heart rate. This helps to ensure the highest quality images can be taken at low radiation doses.
In terms of preparing for your scan, you will usually be advised to keep well hydrated with water, but to stop eating at least two hours before the scan. Please avoid any caffeinated drinks (soft drinks as well as tea and coffee) from midnight the night before.
Do not take any erectile dysfunction medications (e.g., Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) within 24 hours of your CT scan appointment.
In terms of preparing for your scan, you will usually be advised to keep well hydrated with water, but to stop eating at least two hours before the scan. Please avoid any caffeinated drinks (soft drinks as well as tea and coffee) from midnight the night before.
Do not take any erectile dysfunction medications (e.g., Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) within 24 hours of your CT scan appointment.
02
During your scan
Your cardiac CT scan will be done as an outpatient appointment. A small drip (cannula) will be inserted in your arm and you’ll be asked to lie comfortably on your back on the scanning table. Four heart activity sensors will be positioned on your chest and an X-ray dye will be injected into the drip as you move through the doughnut-shaped scanner.
You should only be on the scanner itself for around five minutes. After the scan you will be disconnected from heart activity sensors and escorted back to the waiting room. In all, the whole process should take 30 minutes.
You should only be on the scanner itself for around five minutes. After the scan you will be disconnected from heart activity sensors and escorted back to the waiting room. In all, the whole process should take 30 minutes.
03
After your scan
Since the test is non-invasive, you will be able to return home shortly after your scan. If you are given an intravenous beta blocker, you may be asked to wait a short while until the effects wear off and your heart rate returns to normal. You will not be able to drive for at least three hours.
The images will be reviewed by your consultant radiologist and the results will be sent to your cardiologist. Your CT scan data may also be sent on for a HeartFlow Analysis. This is a sophisticated bioengineering analysis that enables a detailed assessment of your heart arteries, to assess the impact of any blockages on blood flow. Your consultant will speak to you about your results and any next steps.
The images will be reviewed by your consultant radiologist and the results will be sent to your cardiologist. Your CT scan data may also be sent on for a HeartFlow Analysis. This is a sophisticated bioengineering analysis that enables a detailed assessment of your heart arteries, to assess the impact of any blockages on blood flow. Your consultant will speak to you about your results and 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.
FAQs
Our heart team is available to book an appointment with a cardiac specialist who can advise you on whether you need a cardiac CT scan or other tests and diagnostics for your symptoms and condition.
We are able to offer cardiac CT scans for patients with many types of implants, including pacemakers, neurostimulators and orthopaedic implants. We are happy to talk to you about your particular implant and advise you further.
Cardiac CT scans are not generally advised during pregnancy, unless your consultant feels the benefits of the scan outweigh any risk to the pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss this with you first and advise whether it is suitable for you and your baby.
Cardiac CT scans are considered to be safe with little risk. If there’s anything in particular you’re worried about, our booking and clinical teams can answer any questions you have. Some people can experience allergic reactions to the contrast dye used in some scans, although is very rare.
Generally, we need a referral letter from your GP or doctor before we can confirm your scan. If you prefer, you can book an appointment with an HCA UK consultant who will refer you directly.
A cardiac CT scan, also known as a CT coronary angiogram, is a non-invasive test taken on a CT scanner with a contrast dye injected through an IV.
A traditional angiogram, on the other hand, takes place in a cath lab and involves a catheter being inserted into one of your arteries to view the condition of your heart and arteries. This is usually administered into the wrist or the groin. The procedure can give your consultant a good view of any blockages. Other treatments such as angioplasty can be performed during an angiogram, but not a cardiac CT scan.
A traditional angiogram, on the other hand, takes place in a cath lab and involves a catheter being inserted into one of your arteries to view the condition of your heart and arteries. This is usually administered into the wrist or the groin. The procedure can give your consultant a good view of any blockages. Other treatments such as angioplasty can be performed during an angiogram, but not a cardiac CT scan.
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