Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the western world, second only to cancer. Its symptoms can be subtle and easily overlooked, but early screening significantly reduces the risk of illness and death, as many heart conditions are treatable when identified early.
At Meyer Clinic we are pleased to now offer a sophisticated service of in-house Cardiovascular ECG & Echocardiography starting with a patient questionnaire, a nurse interview, and the two screening methods, supported by leading Consultant Cardiologist Dr Edward Leatham MA Cantab, MBBS, MD, MRCP. Any requested consultation with Dr Leatham can be arranged, his 29 years’ as a consultant cardiologist places him at the forefront of his field.
Private Cardiovascular Screening
We suggest Cardiovascular Health screening for our patients at Meyer Clinic, as it is the best approach to detect and identify heart or valvular disease in apparently healthy people. Many heart conditions, such as ischaemic heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), coronary artery disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation are common yet need support and may cause no symptoms whatsoever for many years before a significant presentation, so their detection requires screening. Any conditions uncovered can then be referred onto our Consultant Cardiologist for further treatment or you can take them to your GP for NHS referral.
At Meyer Clinic our screening programme includes:
12-lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) – A 12-lead ECG is a quick test that checks the electrical activity of your heart. Small sticky pads (electrodes) are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. These are connected to a machine that records how your heart is beating.
The test produces a tracing (like a graph) that shows your heart’s rhythm and electrical signals. From this, we can check if your heart is beating too fast, too slow, or irregularly. It also helps us spot signs of heart muscle damage – for example, from a past or recent heart attack – and see how your heart is responding to medications.
An ECG can help diagnose:
- Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- Thickened or enlarged heart muscle
- Problems with the heart’s electrical system
- Signs of a heart attack
- Other heart-related issues
A trained healthcare professional will read the results and explain what they mean. The findings can help guide further tests or treatment to manage your heart health.
Transthoracic Echocardiogram – A transthoracic echocardiogram (often just called an “echo”) is a simple and painless heart scan that uses ultrasound – the same technology used in pregnancy scans – to create moving pictures of your heart.
During the test, a small device (called a probe) is placed on your chest. It sends sound waves through your chest, which bounce off your heart and create images on a screen.
This test shows how well your heart is working. It helps doctors check the size and shape of your heart, how well the heart muscle is pumping, and whether the valves are opening and closing properly.
It’s commonly used to check for problems like heart failure, valve issues, congenital (from birth) heart conditions, and other heart diseases.
We can also provide services and direct referrals for:
- CT Angiogram
- CT Calcium scanning
- Exercise treadmill testing
- Lipid profiling
Reasons to Book a Private Cardiovascular Screening Check
The Meyer Clinic team welcomes patients to schedule a heart health screening assessment at any point, and if you have concerns about a family history of cardiac issues or have noticed changes in your heart rhythm or general sense of wellness, this is the best way to take action.
While many people will be reassured that their heart function is perfectly healthy, identifying any potential issues enables us to offer lifestyle and nutritional advice, referrals where treatment is needed, or preventative care where early risk factors can be well controlled.
The Benefits of Consulting a Private Cardiology Professional
We focus on personalised, respectful care, and offer a wide range of screening tests which can prove vital when diagnosing or treating conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and the underlying reasons for chest pain or shortness of breath. Our patients can:
- Enjoy the convenience of booking online with a wide range of appointment days and times
- Speak confidentially with a skilled Consultant Cardiologist
- Expect fast access to results, advice and information about their heart health
Once we have completed your cardiovascular screenings, we’ll provide a report you can share with your GP or another health professional if necessary, or recommend treatment plans and holistic lifestyle changes to protect your heart function for the years to come.
Full/Comprehensive Echocardiogram (Transthoracic Echo / TTE)
A full transthoracic echocardiogram, often called an echo, is a detailed, painless ultrasound scan of the heart, performed by a Specialist Echocardiographer. It provides moving images of the heart and allows for a comprehensive assessment of its structure and function.
This scan includes everything assessed in a screening echo, as well as:
- Comprehensive assessment of cardiac function and size
- Overall heart function, including ejection fraction
- The size and function of the heart chambers
- A detailed assessment of all four heart valves
- Blood flow through the heart using Doppler measurements
- Movement of the heart muscle
- Diastolic function, which looks at how the heart relaxes and fills
- Checks for fluid around the heart
- Assessment of the aortic root and outflow areas
- Estimated pressures in the lung circulation, where appropriate
- Full haemodynamic assessment
The appointment typically takes around 45 to 60 minutes and follows British Society of Echocardiography guidance. After the scan, a comprehensive formal report is produced. A full echocardiogram may be recommended for diagnosis, monitoring known heart conditions, or as part of pre or post-operative assessment.
Our cardiac scans are supported by our partnership with Surrey Cardiovascular Clinic (SCVC), a specialist cardiology centre of excellence. If any significant findings are identified, patients have a clear pathway to SCVC’s consultant cardiologists for further investigation and management.
Book Echocardiogram
Starting at £506
Private Cardiologist Services FAQs
Our screening includes a detailed patient questionnaire, a nurse-led interview, and two early screening methods: an ECG and echocardiography. If anything of concern is identified, we can refer you directly to our Consultant Cardiologist or you can take the results to your GP for NHS referral.
No referral is needed. You can book directly with Meyer Clinic for peace of mind or preventative health checks.
An ECG (electrocardiogram) is a simple, non-invasive test that records the electrical activity of your heart. It helps detect rhythm disturbances and other early warning signs of heart problems.
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It provides detailed images of your heart’s structure and function, helping identify issues such as valve problems or reduced pumping efficiency.
A full screening, including the questionnaire, nurse interview, cholesterol test, ECG, and echocardiogram, usually takes around 60–90 minutes.
Our cardiovascular screening is carried out in-clinic by trained nurses and technicians, with results overseen by our medical team. If further care is needed, you’ll be referred to our Consultant Cardiologist.
Both ECG and echocardiography are widely used, highly reliable tools for detecting early signs of heart disease. When combined with blood cholesterol testing and a medical interview, they provide a strong foundation for preventative care.
If screening results show any concerns, we will arrange a fast-track referral to our Consultant Cardiologist for further investigation and treatment if needed, or you can take the results to your GP for NHS referral.
Pricing will depend on the specific tests included and whether onward referral is required. We provide full, transparent costs at the time of booking.
A full or comprehensive echocardiogram, also known as a transthoracic echo or TTE, is a detailed ultrasound scan of the heart. It uses sound waves to assess the heart’s structure, pumping function, valves, chambers, blood flow, and surrounding tissues.
At Meyer Clinic, this scan provides a thorough cardiac assessment and produces a formal report that can support diagnosis, monitoring, or onward care with your GP, cardiologist, or specialist.
A comprehensive echocardiogram checks how well the heart is working and whether there are any structural or functional abnormalities. It assesses overall heart function, ejection fraction, chamber size, all four heart valves, blood flow through the heart, valve gradients, wall motion, diastolic function, pulmonary artery pressures, the aortic root, outflow tracts, and whether there is any fluid around the heart.
This makes it a valuable test for investigating symptoms or monitoring known heart conditions.
You may be advised to have a transthoracic echocardiogram if you have symptoms such as breathlessness, chest discomfort, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, ankle swelling, a heart murmur, or abnormal ECG findings.
It may also be used to monitor existing heart conditions, assess the heart before or after surgery, review valve disease, investigate high blood pressure-related changes, or provide a clearer picture of overall cardiac health.
During a full echocardiogram, you will lie comfortably while a Specialist Echocardiographer places a small ultrasound probe on the chest using gel. The scan records moving images of the heart from different angles and includes Doppler measurements to assess blood flow and valve function. The appointment is non-invasive, does not use radiation, and usually takes around 45–60 minutes because it follows a detailed clinical protocol.
A screening echo is usually a shorter, focused scan designed to provide a basic overview of heart structure and function. A full or comprehensive echocardiogram is more detailed and protocol-driven, assessing heart chambers, valves, pumping function, blood flow, pressures, wall motion, diastolic function, and haemodynamics in greater depth.
It follows strict British Society of Echocardiography guidance and includes a comprehensive formal report, making it more suitable for diagnosis, monitoring, and clinical decision-making.
No. An echocardiogram and an ECG are different heart tests. An ECG records the electrical activity and rhythm of the heart, while an echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan that looks at the heart’s structure, valves, chambers, pumping function, and blood flow.
