CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Results within 48 hours
- 99% of patients would recommend us to family and friends
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TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAM
Why choose us?
We look after more people than any other private healthcare provider in the UK and we’re no.1 for private cardiac care. Our specialist teams care for over 36,000 cardiac patients every year and 99% of those would recommend us to family and friends.
Our expert consultants are supported by multidisciplinary teams who’ll work together to find the most effective, personalised solutions for you. They’re supported by state-of-the-art imaging throughout our private cardiac diagnostic network, which is the most comprehensive in the UK. Our continuous investment in the latest technology means you’ll receive the highest possible standards of care.
Our expert consultants are supported by multidisciplinary teams who’ll work together to find the most effective, personalised solutions for you. They’re supported by state-of-the-art imaging throughout our private cardiac diagnostic network, which is the most comprehensive in the UK. Our continuous investment in the latest technology means you’ll receive the highest possible standards of care.
A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is an ultrasound scan that uses sound wave reflections (echoes) to visualise your heart chambers and valves. 'Transthoracic' refers to the way the ultrasound waves are shined through the front of your chest to the heart, and the pictures are formed by the echoes that reflect back.
This is the most common and least invasive type of echocardiogram and your cardiologist can use it to test your heart's health, including gauging:
- How well it's pumping blood
- The shape and size of its chambers
- The function of its valves
High-frequency sound waves are shined through your chest using an ultrasound probe. The sound waves bounce off your heart tissue and create 'echoes'. These show up as images on a computer display, enabling your specialist cardiac team to see what your heart looks like in real time.
Sometimes a contrast agent (an ultrasound dye made of microbubbles) is used to provide more information on how well your heart is pumping or to look for blood clots in your heart. The dye is injected into a vein and travels to your heart and makes the ultrasound images sharper.
Sometimes a contrast agent (an ultrasound dye made of microbubbles) is used to provide more information on how well your heart is pumping or to look for blood clots in your heart. The dye is injected into a vein and travels to your heart and makes the ultrasound images sharper.
Your cardiac team may use a TTE to investigate some concerning heart-related symptoms, make a diagnosis, monitor an existing cardiac condition or to check for damage to your heart muscle.
It can help find your team to work out why you're experiencing symptoms such as:
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain, also called angina
- Light-headedness and fainting (syncope)
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations, which can be a fluttering or pounding feeling in your chest or neck
- Murmurs, which are irregular sounds made by blood moving within your heart
- Nausea
- Rapid breathing and heartbeat
- Swelling in your hands, feet, legs or belly
- Extreme tiredness and fatigue
We’ll confirm your cardiac consultant appointment within 24 hours and can usually offer you a transthoracic echocardiogram on the same day. You can often get your results back on the same day too, or we’ll send you them within 48 hours.
You have a choice of 235 consultant cardiologists at HCA UK, supported by a multidisciplinary team of physiologists, clinical nurses, radiographers and other healthcare specialists. They are experts at conducting transthoracic echocardiograms to help diagnose and treat a range of heart disorders. You can find the right consultant for you here.
Whatever your TTE examination might show, we can offer comprehensive treatments through our private network. Your consultant will recommend the most effective options for you, ranging from lifestyle changes to medication and stent or surgical procedures, if necessary.
Whatever your TTE examination might show, we can offer comprehensive treatments through our private network. Your consultant will recommend the most effective options for you, ranging from lifestyle changes to medication and stent or surgical procedures, if necessary.
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.
Your private transthoracic echocardiogram with HCA UK
What to expect
We understand that having any heart procedure can be worrying. We want you to feel reassured at every stage and informed about what’s happening and why. This should give you a good idea of what to expect, but our teams will also explain everything in person and answer any questions you may have.
01
GP or self referral
You may have a referral from a GP but you’re also welcome to self-refer if you feel you need to get your heart health checked. Either way, just call the cardiac referral line on 020 7616 4988 and we’ll be happy to get you booked in with one of our consultant cardiologists.
02
Preparation
You don't need to do anything to prepare for a transthoracic echocardiogram. An echocardiogram does not use X-rays, only harmless sound waves. You can continue eating, drinking and taking any medications as usual. Your consultant will explain the procedure and answer any questions you have, so you have complete peace of mind before deciding to go ahead.
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The procedure
- Your team will ask you to wear a gown and attach small, sticky sensors, called electrodes, to your chest. These are connected to an ultrasound machine, and they’ll monitor your heart's rhythm and electrical activity during the scan.
- You’ll be asked to lie on your left-hand side on an exam table, with your left arm above your head, which can help to produce better images. Your cardiac sonographer, an ultrasound expert, will apply a special ultrasound gel to your chest and press a small handheld probe called a transducer in various places across your chest. This is what emits the sound waves and picks up the echoes.
- A computer screen will instantly display images of your heart, which you and your consultant can view. They may ask you to hold still or breathe in certain ways to help get the best pictures possible. A complete echocardiogram takes around 30 minutes.
- After the exam team have had a good look at your heart and your TTE scan is complete, they’ll remove the sticky sensors from your chest, and you can get changed back into your own clothes.
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Follow-up
You should be able to go home shortly after the TTE. Your echo results will be available within 48 hours, although your consultant should be able to see how well your heart is functioning on the day of your scan. Your consultant will analyse the results, explain what they mean to you and answer any questions you have.
Depending on the results, they'll also advise you on the next steps such as follow-up appointments and any further tests or treatments you may need.
Depending on the results, they'll also advise you on the next steps such as follow-up appointments and any further tests or treatments you may need.
Where can I get my private transthoracic echocardiogram?
You can be treated by specialist cardiac consultants and dedicated teams at our hospitals in 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
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.
Transthoracic echocardiogram FAQ
The exact length of a TTE scan varies from person to person, but it should last about 30 minutes, and no longer than an hour.
A transthoracic echocardiogram can help diagnose and assess several conditions, including:
- Heart failure, when your heart is unable to pump enough blood with sufficient pressure
- Heart valve disease, when one or more of your heart valves becomes damaged or diseased, affecting the blood flow around your heart
- Cardiomyopathy, when your heart muscle thickens or your heart grows larger
- Congenital heart conditions, such as abnormalities that you've had since you were born
A special exercise or stress echocardiogram can additionally diagnose:
- Coronary artery disease, when the blood vessels carrying blood and oxygen to your heart become narrowed or blocked
We can confirm your appointment with a consultant cardiologist within 24 hours, and we'll send you the results within 48 hours, although your consultant should be able to see how well your heart is functioning on the day of your scan.
That means they’ll quickly have access to key information and be able to make decisions about any treatment that you may need.
That means they’ll quickly have access to key information and be able to make decisions about any treatment that you may need.
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.
“Mr Bahrami and his team were very thorough. There was a lot of preparation to ensure my safety.”
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