Private Cardiologist

[Purple098]

I am looking for advice please. I has a HA in September 2023, since then having ongoing chest pain. Had a repeat angiogram and a stress echo, all my main arteries are clear, Dr thinks it's small vessel narrowing. But everything is waiting until I see consultant for a treatment plan, and that is not until May now. So does anyone know how much it would be to see a private cardiologist and would I been seen sooner. I live in Plymouth.Thanks in advance

[Jalia]

I have paid £250 for a consultation. I believe that £200/ £250 is normal. Why don't you phone the cardiologist secretary for an idea. They are usually very helpful. You're appt should be very much sooner !

[Purple098 in reply to Jalia]

Thanks for the information, that's really helpful. I know !! My appointment was due in December last year.

[OpenMind1 in reply to Jalia]

That's what I've paid to see a cardiologist. I definitely found it helpful. Good luck..x

[Summerplace in reply to Jalia]

I live in Bournemouth and a few months ago l paid £250

[Tos92]

I’ve been private a few times now. As Jalia says, consultations usually vary from £200-£250. Slightly higher sometimes if London based, they can be up to £350. I have personally found waiting times to be a lot shorter by going private.

I notice you mention your small vessels narrowing as a suspected cause. Has microvascular angina (MVA) ever been considered? I was recently diagnosed with it after seeing an INOCA (ischaemia in non-obstructed arteries) specialist privately.

You can also be asked to be referred to be seen on the NHS after the initial consultation where you can have further investigations and treatment for your condition without additional charges. This might vary on an individual basis and the cardiologist’s opinion.

There are some links below which you might find helpful in understanding the condition better and finding a specialist. Some cardiologists also offer virtual clinics via video call, so if you find that you cannot travel outside Plymouth, this maybe something that you would want to consider.

inocainternational.com/wp-c...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

inocainternational.com/doct...

All the best.

Tos

[Purple098 in reply to Tos92]

Thank you Tos, I will go over all the information. It has been suggested by cardiologist at a and e, but I don't have this confirmed. I still get chest pains and struggling to get back to work, and atleast going private I wouldn't have to wait aslong.

[SmokeAKipper in reply to Tos92]

Thanks it’s the micro vascular that gives me grief…according to bhf it’s a new field…do you have any tips to improve this from your experience

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to SmokeAKipper]

This area of Cardiology has been known about for many years.

In the past it was referred to as Cardiac Syndrome X accompanied by the belief that CSX was a harmless nuisance of a condition.

There are sadly many Cardiologists who still believe this !

Ignored and overlooked unfortunately until recently as the the functional angiograms required to diagnose microvascular and vasospastic angina are only just becoming more available.

I had my angiogram with acetylcholine in 2014. Since then there has been more research taking place.

You may find this further information on the BHF website from 2017 helpful. An expert patient by experience was involved in the production of this and the information about vasospastic angina on the BHF website.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

This website has some more information about coping strategies if you live with microvascular and vasospastic angina.

internationalheartspasmsall...

There is an increasing interest in this area of Cardiology. Many of these interested Cardiologists are not listed on any websites.

There is a study taking place into diagnosing microvascular angina

iCorMicA trial.

25 centres in the UK are taking part.

Where in the UK are you based?

[SmokeAKipper in reply to Milkfairy]

hi based Isle of Man

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to SmokeAKipper]

I have sent you a message

[Fanfab1]

Hi same as Jalia regards costs and would be quicker - like within a week or two. But that’s just the consultation as you may need tests for small vessel stuff. But again these can be scheduled much quicker.

Do keep your NHS appointment etc in place as you can take your results to your NHS consultant.

If you can afford it (but bear in mind they may recommend tests too because what would be the added value of a private consultant agreeing yes it could be small vessel - you’re no further forward) then it’s worth considering.

tests can be thousand to few thousands

👍

[Purple098 in reply to Fanfab1]

Hi Fanfab, I see what you mean, I might be no further forward without a test. Which would be to expensive. I don't know whether I will be having anymore tests, from what I hear, it can be very difficult having the small vessel diagnosed.

[Fanfab1 in reply to Purple098]

Yes it is expensive, but from the advice you’ve been given by Milkfairy you may find a specialist and there may still be the option of an NHS referral to that specialist. Albeit there may still be a wait but you could get on better with someone interested and knowledgeable.

Wish you good luck - finding the right cardiologist is invaluable - private or NHS

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I have sent you a message with a name of a Cardiologist based in Plymouth who has some understanding of angina/ ischaemia non obstructive coronary arteries. The forum guidelines ask us not to name individual doctors on the forum

Since I was diagnosed with vasospastic angina over 11 years ago, I have seen a growing number of Cardiologists interested in caring for patients living with microvascular and vasospastic angina many are not listed on any websites.

Another good source of information is this website.

internationalheartspasmsall...

[Purple098 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you Milkfairy, I will look into that.

[Taviterry]

The £200-250 range is correct for an initial consultation, but if you have tests you would be charged more. In November I needed to see the surgeon who'd operated on me and, as an existing patient, paid £130. But the ECG cost £530.

My surgeon was unable to access my NHS records. He sent a letter giving his conclusions to my practice.

[andrew290171]

I paid 220 for a first appointment in derby. Glad I did. NHS clinic had said definitely didn't have angina or heart diesese. Ended finding out I had calcium score of 420, partly blocked lad and needed a stent

[Milliemoopink]

I paid £180 for a consultation in December 2023 I'm in Northamptonshire x

[irishwife93]

We’re in Bristol and we paid £230 for an initial consultation and scans, then £140 for subsequent follow up appointments. We chose a cardiologist who also works in our local NHS hospital so he was able to view my husbands notes on those systems and he also saw us for less urgent follow up appointments on the NHS. We haven’t had to see him privately in a long time, but it’s there incase of emergencies or if we’re waiting way too long for a follow up. If you could find out whether any of the cardiologists at your hospital also work privately you might be able to do the same! It’s worked well for us!

[roughquest in reply to irishwife93]

This is the route I’ve taken too.

[devonian186]

I had my bypass done at Derriford. The surgeons were very impressive. I think a phone call to the relevant secretary would get you an idea of price. Some here have said that using equipment costs extra-such as an ECG, so you need an "all in " cost.

If you are having problems it may be worth a private consultation, rather than wait until May.

[Purple098 in reply to devonian186]

Thank you, just a quick question. Would the NHS Secretary also deal with private consultation for that surgeon ?

[devonian186 in reply to Purple098]

It needs to be the cardiologist secretary . They might have their own individual one or one for the Group. They are likely to be an NHS employed secretary

[Purple098 in reply to devonian186]

Thank you.

[quirk13]

I paid £250 for the first consultation which I could have in a few days. Subsequent consultations were £200 . Plus the cost of tests etc

[Ladyinred45]

Hi

I had a similar experience, I found out the name of the consultant who I was seeing on the NHS luckily he did private work so I went to him private for the initial consultation. The first consultation cost was £250 just for consultation then additional scans are extra. He had access to my GP record and hospital scans so that made it beneficial as he looked at the blood results and was more thorough and identified results they had missed.

I am glad I went private for the MRI and 24 hour tape so now when I see him on the NHS I can be put on the correct pathway without waiting 6-8 months to have MRI scan.

I hope you get sorted

Lisa

[Nantoone]

hi Purple. I telephoned a private cardiologist in north London where I live on a Thursday. I had echo ecg and 24 monitor around £1000 for all three on the Friday. Got results the following Wednesday with a cardiologist appointment £250. Find out who your local hospital cardiologists are as most run a private clinic. Definitely get peace of mind. Good luck.

[Best2]

hi , I paid £250 for a private consultation choose a private hospital near you and look at the cardiologists they have there read the reviews and when you find one ring the hospital and book an appointment no referral needed !! I recently had a follow appointment and that was £180 well worth every penny as like you I had a mild heart attack in September and still haven’t been given any follow up appointment from the nhs !

[Goldstar45]

Hi yes the waiting times are long almost everywhere I have resoted to consulting a cardiologist privately on a number of occasions, usually they charge around £250.00 for the initial consultation and around £150.00 thereafter, hope this helpsRegards DaveB

[cazada]

Hi, I have done the this. It cuts £545 for one hour and a report . This in the Middlesborough are. I dud t realise he was an NHS consultant though. You really need to find a totally private consultant so the cost may well increase , but might be worth it . X

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to cazada]

I would guess most private medicine consultants, except perhaps the really top people, work in the NHS. Certainly the ones I have used have done so. Working in the NHS does not make them less qualified. And if they also practice in the NHS that may mean that they have access to NHS records should that become necessary.

[cazada in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Doctors don’t go against other doctors … he said exactly, practically word for word what the original consultant said…. I would have preferred a non NHS consultant … only my preference

[Partner20 in reply to cazada]

My family and I have had wide experience of private medicine over several decades, and each and every consultant has also been working in the NHS. This has certainly not negated our experience of the private sector, but has definitely shown us that some consultants are better than others, whether private or NHS. Researching the background of any consultant you are considering is the most valuable thing you can do before making your decision.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

I endorse what others have said about costs. I also suggest you prepare a briefing note about your condition to hand to your consultant at the start of your session, rather than trying to remember everything, since that is an efficient way of using the appointment time you are paying for. Finally you might have to get your GP to refer you, some private medicine consultants require this, some don't, but your chosen consultant's secretary will be able to advise.

[cazada in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Did all but still his report missed the symptoms I expressed ….

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to cazada]

It is clear from your comments that you have had an unfortunate bad experience from dealing with the private cardiologist you paid for, and that is regrettable. My experience of dealing with private medicine consultants across a variety of medical disciplines is certainly better, although some consultants are better than others, and noting that three consultants I would describe as excellent, and those three practised within the NHS. Nonetheless I would certainly like to think that as you may well be directly paying for a consultant's time as I do do now rather than through an insurance claim, and dealing with someone senior within the profession (rather than 'just' a registrar as may happen within the NHS), you should expect and actually get a good and professionally competent experience.

[Blondie567]

Hi, I had the same problem with waiting times. Almost 6 months after the heart attack but was seen by the bloke that did my ablation, not the surgeon - still on the waiting list for him. Took matters in my own hand and went privately. Cost vary from surgeon to surgeon, mine was £350 per hour. So if you go down that route, write everything down before hand, you need to get your money's worth.

[Malcvtr]

In Worcester, the initial consultation was £200 just over two years ago. Worth every penny: I might not be here now if I hadn't gone!

[momander]

I think.if you googled private cardiologists in your area you would see what was on offer. Also, lost of the doctors/ consultants also do private work.

[Purple098]

Thank you for all of your messages, very helpful 😊

[dunestar]

My strong advice would be to seek a cardiologist who knows about INOCA (Ischaemia with Non-Obstructed Coronary Arteries). A lot of general cardiologists don't know anything about it. The term covers a wide range of heart issues including microvascular dysfunction, coronary artery spasms and even rarer conditions like Takotsubo where the heart goes out of shape in response to stress or emotional events. Have a look at inocainternational.com/ which has a wealth of information including specialists in various part of the country. You may have to travel but it's worth it to get the right diagnosis.

[Patchwork123]

I saw a cardiologist privately this week and the cost was £200 I waited about ten days.

My scheduled appointment on the NHS was not until September but as I am now back in persistent AF I felt I couldn’t wait that long.

My tests and a further appointment will all be done and dusted by March total cost around £1000

Certainly very much quicker, sadly this is the way things are going.

[wischo in reply to Patchwork123]

Yes it is going that way, I live in Ireland where there is the same NHS system as the UK with the same waiting lists for tests and appointments which in my view has to be responsible for the bad outcomes of many patients. The difference is that 55% of Irish people have private health insurance including myself which is brilliant. It is not cheap but is accepted by the majority of people here to be well worth the cost and helps to ensure that you get all your appointments, scans and tests in a timely manner and the cost is tax deductive as well. If you start off with private health insurance in your 20s or early30s there is no hike in your policy no matter what age you are or conditions you have. There is also guaranteed overseas cover which eliminates very costly travel insurance issues. I have children living and working in the UK all of whom have their own UK health insurance and have complete peace of mind. It is the way it is going although it is now common in most countries around Europe and the rest of the world. Nurses and other specialised medical professionals are now highly educated and not willing to work for the pittance they were paid 50 or more years ago and personaly I would prefer to spend a bit of money to ensure I was getting the best care than wait for months worrying and possibly deteriorating.

[MotorbikeRider]

I was diagnosed with bradycardia after an ECG picked it up during a pre op assessment for a hernia repair, the operation was cancelled and I reverted to my GP to see a consultant. After being told that it would be at least 5 months to see a specialist I consulted a private cardiologist. The consultation cost me £655 including all tests, scans and 72 hour monitoring but I had a full written report (which confirmed that I needed a pacemaker sooner rather than later) a few days later. With no timely response to that report from the NHS the cardiologist also arranged for me to have the pacemaker fitted in his private clinic but on the NHS. Unfortunately/fortunately depending on how you look at it my condition deteriorated and I found it necessary to attend A & E a week before the planned installation and the pacemaker was fitted by the NHS a couple of days later. I has been a total success and I think that the consultants report was informative to me and instrumental to getting the matter resolved as quickly as it was and and worth every penny.