Concierge cardiac imaging · London
Heart imaging, the modern menu — echo, cardiac MRI, CTCA, calcium score and PET.
A menu of modern cardiac imaging: echocardiography (2D, 3D, stress), cardiac MRI, CT coronary angiography, coronary calcium score, cardiac PET and CaRi-Heart AI. Choose the right test for symptoms, risk profile or surveillance.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
We route you to a consultant cardiologist or cardiac radiologist — the specialist who chooses the modality is the one who reports it.
- 02
Often answers same-day
Findings can frequently be discussed immediately, with the written report to follow.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private heart imaging costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A calcium score in our network starts at £250; a full CTCA with reporting typically £600–£1,200.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echocardiogram (2D transthoracic) | £300–£600 | 30 min | Same-day |
| Stress echocardiogram | £500–£900 | 60 min | Same-day |
| Cardiac MRI | £800–£1,600 | 60 min | 48 hours |
| CT coronary angiography (CTCA) | £600–£1,200 | 45 min | 48 hours |
| Coronary calcium score (CAC) | £250–£500 | 15 min | Same-day |
| Cardiac PET / CaRi-Heart AI | £1,200–£2,500 | 90 min | 3–5 days |
Prices vary by clinic and modality, and whether a consultant cardiology consultation is bundled. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
Key facts
Heart imaging at a glance.
The six things worth knowing before you choose a cardiac scan.
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Definition
A menu of modern cardiac imaging modalities — echo, MRI, CT, calcium score and PET.
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Radiation-free options
Echocardiography and cardiac MRI use no ionising radiation.
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Ionising options
CT coronary angiography, coronary calcium score and cardiac PET involve X-ray or radionuclide.
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Choose by clinical question
The right test depends on symptoms, risk profile and what you need to answer.
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Consultant-reported
Every scan is reported by a consultant cardiologist or cardiac radiologist.
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Complementary
Modalities are often used in combination — a single scan rarely tells the whole story.
The journey
From consultation to report — what happens, in order.
A consultant-led pathway from the first question to the structured report.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
Cardiology-led triage
Phase 2 · On the day
Modality-specific preparation
Phase 3 · After
Structured written report
- 01
Before
Cardiology consultation
A consultant cardiologist reviews symptoms, risk profile and prior investigations to define the clinical question.
- 02
Before
Choose modality
The right test — echo, MRI, CTCA, calcium score, PET or a combination — is selected to answer that question.
- 03
Before
Fast if IV contrast
For CTCA or contrast MRI you’ll be asked to fast for around four hours before the scan.
- 04
On the day
Withhold caffeine for CTCA
No coffee, tea or energy drinks for 12 hours before a CT coronary angiogram — caffeine blunts the heart-rate control needed for a clean scan.
- 05
On the day
Modality-specific preparation
Cannula for contrast, gown, ECG dots, breath-hold rehearsal — whatever the chosen scan requires.
- 06
On the day
Scan performed by specialist
A cardiac sonographer, radiographer or cardiologist performs the study on current-generation equipment.
- 07
After
Structured written report
A consultant-authored report — indication, technique, findings, impression and next step — usually within 24–48 hours.
Typical end-to-end: 3–7 days. Urgent cases: same day.
What it shows
What modern cardiac imaging can answer.
Each modality answers a slightly different question. Together, they cover function, valves, coronaries, tissue and perfusion.
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LVEF and chamber sizes
Ventricular function and chamber dimensions — best seen on echo and cardiac MRI.
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Valvular disease
Regurgitation and stenosis of aortic, mitral, tricuspid and pulmonary valves — echo first, MRI to arbitrate.
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Coronary plaque and stenosis
CT coronary angiography maps the coronary tree — soft plaque, calcified plaque and stenosis.
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Coronary calcium
Coronary artery calcium score — a low-dose CT that quantifies calcified plaque burden.
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Coronary inflammation
CaRi-Heart AI analyses perivascular fat on CTCA to quantify coronary inflammation and residual risk.
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Myocardial fibrosis
Cardiac MRI with late gadolinium enhancement characterises scar and infiltrative disease.
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Cardiac perfusion
PET or stress cardiac MRI shows regional myocardial blood flow under stress.
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Red flag: left-main / triple-vessel disease or severe LV dysfunction — urgent cardiology / surgical MDT
Findings of this severity route straight to a consultant cardiologist and cardiothoracic MDT, not a routine follow-up.
Scan types
The modern cardiac imaging menu.
What each option is actually for — and when to choose one over another.
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Echocardiogram (2D / 3D)
The workhorse: ultrasound assessment of chamber size, function and valves — bedside, radiation-free and repeatable.
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Stress echocardiogram
Echo under pharmacological or exercise stress — a functional look at inducible ischaemia.
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Cardiac MRI
The reference standard for LV function, tissue characterisation and myocardial scar. Radiation-free.
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CT coronary angiography (CTCA)
A non-invasive map of the coronary arteries — the first-line test for stable chest pain in current NICE guidance.
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Coronary calcium score (CAC)
A rapid low-dose CT that quantifies calcified plaque to refine cardiovascular risk.
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Cardiac PET
Quantitative myocardial perfusion and viability imaging — the reference for absolute blood flow.
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CaRi-Heart AI
AI analysis of CTCA that quantifies coronary inflammation via perivascular fat attenuation.
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Combined pathway
Two modalities in the right order — for example CTCA plus cardiac MRI — when a single test can’t answer the question.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant cardiologists and cardiac radiologists with subspecialty imaging fellowships
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BSE / SCCT / EACVI accredited reporters and current-generation equipment
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Structured written report with images available for onward review
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Onward cardiology, cardiothoracic or heart-failure pathway if significant disease is found
Safety and eligibility
Cardiac imaging: safety, contrast and dose.
The practical points on radiation, contrast, pregnancy and devices — and where each modality’s blind spots are.
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Radiation-free options exist
Echocardiography and cardiac MRI use no ionising radiation — often the first choice where clinically appropriate.
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Low-dose CT protocols
Modern CTCA and calcium scoring use prospectively-gated low-dose protocols — a fraction of the dose of a decade ago.
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Contrast considerations
Iodinated (CT) and gadolinium (MRI) contrast are generally safe — renal function is checked and reactions are rare.
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Pregnancy
Echo and non-contrast MRI are the safe options in pregnancy — CT and PET are avoided unless essential.
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Pacemakers and devices
Most modern pacemakers and ICDs are MRI-conditional — device compatibility is confirmed before booking.
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Caffeine and beta-blockers
CTCA needs a slow, regular heart rate — no caffeine for 12 hours and, if needed, a small oral beta-blocker on the day.
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Claustrophobia
Cardiac MRI and PET require lying still in a scanner — mild sedation and wide-bore magnets are available.
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A normal scan is not a full clear
Each modality has blind spots — a normal echo does not exclude coronary disease, and vice versa.
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Bring prior imaging
Prior scans and reports materially sharpen interpretation — always send them ahead if you have them.
Red flags — urgent cardiology / surgical MDT
- Left-main disease
- Severe LV dysfunction
- Suspected cardiomyopathy
- Severe valvular disease
- Pericardial effusion / tamponade
- Cardiac amyloidosis
- Anomalous coronary origin
- Cardiac tumour / thrombus
- Aortic pathology (dissection, aneurysm)
Reading your report
A cardiac imaging report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the modality, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and risk factors
Your details, the clinical question, and the cardiovascular risk factors that shape interpretation.
- 02 Technique
Modality, protocol and contrast
Which scan was performed, on which equipment, with what protocol and contrast agent.
- 03 Findings
Chamber, valve, coronary and tissue findings
Structured description: LV function, chambers, valves, coronaries, pericardium and — where relevant — tissue characterisation.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
The bottom line, red flags, and the concrete next step — read this first.
Next steps
From imaging to treatment plan.
What typically follows a positive cardiac imaging finding — medical therapy, procedure, surgery or structured surveillance.
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Optimal medical therapy
Statin, antiplatelet, ACE inhibitor or ARB, beta-blocker — dose-titrated to the disease and risk profile.
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Valve surgery / TAVI referral
Referral to a valve MDT for surgical AVR, TAVI, mitral repair or transcatheter mitral intervention.
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PCI or CABG
Percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting — chosen by the Heart Team.
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Heart failure optimisation
Four-pillar heart failure therapy titrated in a specialist clinic, with imaging follow-up.
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ICD / CRT device therapy
Implantable defibrillator or cardiac resynchronisation therapy for eligible patients.
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Anticoagulation for AF
DOAC or warfarin for atrial fibrillation, guided by CHA₂DS₂-VASc and bleeding risk.
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Cardiac rehabilitation
Structured, supervised exercise and lifestyle programme after events or interventions.
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Structured cardiology follow-up
A defined imaging and clinic follow-up interval — not a discharge letter.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about heart imaging.
Quick answers on choosing between modalities, calcium score vs CTCA, MRI with a pacemaker, fasting, radiation and CaRi-Heart.
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Which heart scan should I have?
It depends on the clinical question. Stable chest pain is usually CTCA first; assessment of heart function or scar is cardiac MRI; valves and quick bedside function are echo; global cardiovascular risk refinement is a coronary calcium score. A cardiologist decides — not a menu.
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What is the difference between a CT calcium score and a CTCA?
A calcium score is a very fast, low-dose, non-contrast CT that quantifies calcified plaque and refines risk. A CT coronary angiogram uses iodinated contrast to map the coronary arteries themselves — soft plaque, calcified plaque and stenosis.
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Is cardiac MRI safe if I have a pacemaker?
Most modern pacemakers and ICDs are MRI-conditional and can be scanned under a defined protocol. Device model and lead configuration are checked before booking, and a physiologist attends the scan.
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Do I need to fast?
For contrast studies (CTCA, contrast MRI) fast for around four hours. For CTCA you’ll also be asked to avoid caffeine for 12 hours so heart-rate control is optimal.
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How much radiation is involved?
Echo and cardiac MRI: none. Coronary calcium score: less than 1 mSv. Modern CTCA: typically 1–3 mSv. Cardiac PET: a few mSv, depending on tracer. Doses are kept as low as reasonably achievable.
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What is CaRi-Heart?
CaRi-Heart is an AI analysis applied to your CTCA that quantifies coronary inflammation from perivascular fat attenuation — a residual-risk marker beyond calcium and stenosis alone.
Sources
- European Society of Cardiology. Clinical practice guidelines.
- British Society of Echocardiography. Guidelines and standards.
- Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Guidelines.
- European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.
Last reviewed 2026-07-30 · Next review 2027-07-30 · 6 min read
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Cardiac MRI
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CT coronary angiography
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In practice, in London
The London pathway for heart imaging
With heart imaging, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. Public provision for heart imaging is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.
A private heart imaging pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For heart imaging specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
We’re careful about what a private pathway for heart imaging can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.
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