Cardiology (GP information)

The Cardiology Directorate offers a very comprehensive diagnostic and treatment service.

Cardiology Outpatients
A number of clinics are run by the Cardiology team. See below for more details.

Cardiology Diagnostics
Within the diagnostic department the following investigations are performed:

• Twelve lead ECG
• ECG recording over 1-7 days
• Cardiac event recording
• Transthoracic echocardiogram
• Specialist echocardiogram (including stress echo and transoesphageal echo)
• Exercise testing
• Tilt testing
• 24 hour blood pressure monitoring

The diagnostic department is open 365 days per year, providing echocardiography and ECG monitoring over a seven day service, both elective and non-elective. The department is extremely responsive to urgent requests.

Within the Trust the following cardiac investigations are performed:

• CT coronary angiography
• Myocardial perfusion scanning

Cardiac Centre
The Cardiac Centre consists of a 9 bedded day ward and a fully equipped cath lab. Within the Cardiac Centre the following services are provided both elective and non-elective:

• Diagnostic coronary angiography
• Coronary angioplasty (stents)
• Cardiac pacing and monitoring service
• DC Cardioversion

Cardiac Rehabilitation
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Team consists of a range of healthcare professionals including nurses, a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, dietitian and therapy assistants. The team can provide an individualised programme of exercise an education following a cardiac event, treatment or diagnosis. The aim of cardiac rehabilitation is to promote recovery and reduce further risk of heart disease.

Coronary Care Unit (CCU)
This is a 13 bedded ward with 6 beds for patients who have acute cardiac complications. There are also an additional 22 Cardiology beds on Ward 16.