Frequently Asked Questions

EchoMed are a group of Heart Specialist Doctors who offer a unique approach to the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. We provide a truly all-inclusive service whereby all of our diagnostic tests are performed, reported and explained by the expert Doctors themselves.

Our approach enables our patients to undergo consultation, investigation, results and treatment, all in a single comprehensive appointment. We are registered with and regulated by the UK’s Care Quality Commission, which means you can be confident that you are in the best hands possible. Our range of heart scan procedures, completed by highly trained professionals, means we can help anyone with their cardiovascular care.

Everybody over the age of 16 can be seen at EchoMed, and a GP referral is not necessary – patients can simply refer themselves during the online booking process. Our clinics are fully accessible, with ground-floor facilities suitable for wheelchair users.

Our South Coast (Emsworth) clinic has free on-site parking, with ample space for all our clients. 

Our Surrey Hills (Farnham) clinic borders the Farnham Central car park and can be paid for using the RingGo app, with further travel details available on our ‘Contact Us’ page.

We are not affiliated with any payment plan providers, but we are happy to split invoices in certain cases to help suit the requirements of our patients.

For more information on our payment options, please speak to a member of our helpful and friendly team.

EchoMed are recognised by certain private health insurance providers (including Vitality and WPA). 

If you would like to discuss undergoing cardiac testing as part of your health insurance plan, please speak to an EchoMed team member for advice on coverage and pre-approvals.

We require 48 hours’ notice ahead of your appointment to issue a full refund.

If you wish to cancel within 48 hours of your appointment, a refund may not be possible, however, we are always happy to reschedule your appointment. No refund will be issued for missed appointments.

A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is a non-invasive ultrasound test that uses sound waves to create images of your heart. It’s done to evaluate the heart’s structure and function, helping to diagnose conditions like heart failure, valve problems, or congenital heart defects.

For more information on TTE scans, please explore our Echocardiogram service page, which explains our procedures and what you can expect when visiting an EchoMed clinic.

No special preparation is needed for a TTE, meaning you can eat, drink, and take medications as usual unless instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider.

During the test, you’ll lie on an examination couch while a Doctor applies gel to your chest. Women will be offered a gown. A transducer is then moved over your chest to capture images of your heart. You might be asked to change positions to get better views.

The procedure typically takes about 30 minutes. The test is generally painless; you might feel some coolness from the gel and mild pressure from the transducer.

A TTE is a very safe procedure with no known risks or side effects.

At EchoMed, we strive to provide our clients with their results as quickly as we can, with your preliminary results immediately available after your scan. 

Your Doctor will review the images and discuss the findings with you at the end of the appointment to ensure you fully understand what you are being told and know the next steps to take if required.

While TTE provides valuable information, it may not detect all heart problems, particularly those involving the coronary arteries. Further tests may be needed depending on your symptoms and scan findings.

An ECG (electrocardiogram) measures the electrical activity of your heart, showing how fast your heart is beating, whether its rhythm is steady or irregular, and the strength and timing of the electrical impulses passing through your heart.

For more information on this test, visit our Electrocardiogram service page which outlines the procedure and what you can expect when attending an EchoMed clinic.

There are no special preparations required for an ECG, meaning you can eat, drink, and take your medications as usual. However, please avoid applying lotions or oils to your chest, as they can interfere with electrode placement.

The actual recording of the ECG takes only a few minutes, but the entire process, including electrode placement, typically takes around 10 minutes.

The results can indicate various heart conditions, including arrhythmias, heart attacks, or other cardiac abnormalities. Our Doctor will interpret the results in the context of your symptoms and medical history.

During the test, small electrodes are attached to your chest, arms, and legs – men may need to partially shave their chests; our Doctors can perform this for you. The electrodes are connected to an ECG machine that records your heart’s electrical activity on a graph.

This is a virtually painless test; you may feel a slight coolness when the electrodes are applied, but there is no discomfort. An ECG is a safe and non-invasive procedure with no risks or side effects.

During a stress ECG, you’ll be connected to an ECG machine via electrodes and then asked to exercise on a treadmill, gradually increasing the intensity. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG will be monitored throughout the test.

The test examines the heart’s performance under strain, and can reveal problems with narrowed coronary arteries (i.e. evidence of atherosclerosis) or exercise-related heart rhythm disorders. It is therefore a useful test for patients with chest pain, palpitations, or concerns about a deteriorating exercise capacity.

Yes, our exercise ECG tests are performed according to the Bruce protocol, a recognised, standardised stress test, forming an essential component of several occupational medicals.

Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for exercise. You may also wish to bring a towel and a drink. Additionally, you should avoid eating a heavy meal, caffeine, or smoking for a few hours before the test. 

In rare cases, your Doctor may advise you to stop certain medications temporarily; if this is the case, you will be contacted by a Team member ahead of your appointment.

After a preliminary consultation, your Doctor will fit 10 ECG electrodes across your chest and attach these to a small ECG console secured in an exercise belt around your waist. A blood pressure cuff will also be attached to help with continuous monitoring during the test. You will then be asked to start walking on a treadmill, with the incline and speed increased every 3 minutes according to the Bruce protocol.

The entire procedure usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes, with the exercise portion lasting around 15 to 20 minutes. The test is designed to challenge your heart, but it’s stopped if you experience significant discomfort, fatigue, or other concerning symptoms. The intensity is increased gradually and the target workload is tailored to your age and symptoms.

If you’re unable to complete the test, it can still provide valuable information, with your Doctor interpreting the results based on how long and intensely you were able to exercise and any associated ECG changes.

While generally safe, there’s a small risk of complications, such as abnormal heart rhythms, chest pain, or, rarely, a heart attack. The test is performed under close supervision to manage any issues that arise.

The test can reveal if there’s a reduced blood supply to your heart during exercise, indicating potential coronary artery disease. It can also identify exercise-induced arrhythmias, as well as assessing your heart’s overall performance and hence guide treatment decisions.

A 7-day Holter monitor is a portable device that continuously records your heart’s electrical activity over seven days. It’s used to detect irregular heart rhythms that might not show up during a standard ECG or a shorter monitoring period.

You might need to wear a 7-day Holter monitor if you have symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, or fainting that could be related to heart rhythm problems. The device helps your Doctor correlate these symptoms with any abnormal heart activity.

EchoMed’s Holter monitors are small, wireless, adhesive patch devices attached below the left collarbone. For in-person appointments, one of our Doctors will fit the monitor for you, however, they can also be self-applied at home as part of our remote ‘Holter at Home’ service.

Our Holter monitor devices are splashproof, meaning you can wear them in the shower.

However, we do advise patients to face away from the water source if possible. The device should not be fully submerged in water, so bathing or swimming should be avoided. You should otherwise continue your usual activities as normal; our Doctors want to see your full heart rate variability during the course of a typical week.

If the monitor becomes loose or falls off, please try to reattach it as instructed. 

Simple skin tape – such as Transpore or Micropore – is usually sufficient to keep the monitor secure. If you’re unable to do so, please contact us for guidance.

Your Doctor will ask you to keep a paper diary of your activities, symptoms, and the time they occur while wearing the monitor, helping correlate the recorded heart activity with your symptoms. 

Our monitors also have a ‘symptom activator’ button on the front, which can be pressed to mark any episodes of symptoms.

After posting the monitor back to us, our team will analyse the recorded data. It usually takes 5-7 working days to receive the results, and your Doctor will call you to discuss them in detail.

A Doctor will draw a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm using a needle, with the process usually taking only a few minutes. You may feel a slight pinch when the needle is inserted, but the discomfort is usually minimal and brief.

Our standard cardiovascular panel offers 28 biomarkers, including a full blood count, electrolyte assessment, iron status, cholesterol panel, thyroid, liver and kidney function. 

However, on request, we are also able to offer extended blood tests, including heart failure screening (NT-pro BNP), hormonal panels, and full genetic testing.

Some blood tests require fasting (no food or drink except water) for 8-12 hours before the test, while others don’t. Your Doctor will provide specific instructions based on the tests you’re undergoing.

The timing varies depending on the tests, however for most blood tests we aim to deliver full results within 72 hours. If your results are abnormal, your Doctor will discuss the findings with you and may recommend further testing or changes in your treatment plan.

A cardiac CT scan is an imaging test that uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of your heart and its blood vessels. This is the gold standard test for looking for evidence of blocked coronary arteries.

You may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the scan. Also, it is important to inform your Doctor of any medications you’re taking and any allergies, especially to contrast dye.

A radiographer will ask you to lie on a table that slides into a CT scanner. Contrast dye will be injected through an intravenous cannula to enhance the images. The scanner will take multiple images of your heart as you lie still.

The scan itself usually takes about 5 minutes, but the entire process, including preparation, may take 30 to 60 minutes.

This is a painless procedure, however you may feel a warm sensation when contrast dye is injected.

The risks associated with this procedure are minimal. There is a small radiation exposure, and if contrast dye is used, there’s a slight risk of an allergic reaction. However, your Doctor will weigh these risks against the benefits of the scan.

The results can show blockages in the coronary arteries, structural abnormalities of the heart, or other thoracic conditions. Your Doctor will discuss the findings and their implications with you.

The results are usually available within 72 hours.

A cardiac CT scan is less invasive than a traditional coronary angiogram and is often used for initial assessment. However, an invasive coronary angiogram – in which wires are inserted into the heart – may be needed for more detailed evaluation and treatment delivery (such as stent insertion).