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Cardiology · London

Private pacemaker & ICD check in London, by a BHRS-accredited cardiac physiologist.

A calm, thorough device check by an accredited cardiac physiologist - in-person or remote - with same-day cardiology if anything needs it.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private pacemaker or ICD check costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£180-£350; ICD interrogation £220-£400.

Check type Indicative range
In-person pacemaker check £180–£350
ICD interrogation £220–£400
CRT check £280–£500
Remote monitoring set-up £250–£500
ILR interrogation £180–£350
MRI-conditional check pre-scan £200–£400

Prices vary by clinic, device type, and whether reprogramming or remote set-up is included.

The problem

A device check is only as good as the physiologist and the programmer.

Not every clinic has the right manufacturer’s programmer on the day, and not every operator is BHRS-accredited. It is worth confirming that your device is matched to a physiologist and a programmer that fit.

  • Had a shock and worried?

    Same-day interrogation with cardiology on hand if anything looks off.

What it shows

Match the check to why you’re here.

Routine surveillance, symptom-driven interrogation, first follow-up after implant, or pre-MRI safety - the reason changes what is looked at.

  • Routine 6-12 month check

    Scheduled surveillance of battery, leads and stored events.

  • Symptomatic patient

    Palpitations, syncope or shocks - interrogate for the cause.

  • New device follow-up (6-week)

    First check after implant to confirm leads and thresholds are stable.

  • Battery-life check

    Estimated remaining longevity and elective-replacement indicator.

  • Pre-MRI safety check

    Programming to MRI-safe mode before a scan, and back afterwards.

  • Mode reprogramming

    Rate response, upper/lower limits and pacing mode adjustment.

  • Remote-monitoring alerts

    Review of transmitted alerts and confirmation the link is working.

  • Red flag: repeated ICD shocks

    999 or same-day cardiac review - do not wait for a routine slot.

Check types

Not all device checks are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • Pacemaker check

    Battery, lead impedances, sensing and pacing thresholds, stored events.

  • ICD interrogation

    Full pacemaker check plus therapy history - shocks, ATP and any inappropriate therapy.

  • CRT check

    Biventricular device with attention to left-ventricular lead capture and pacing percentage.

  • Loop recorder

    Download of implantable loop recorder to correlate symptoms with arrhythmia.

  • Pre-MRI conditional check

    Confirms device is MRI-conditional and programmes safe mode for the scan.

  • Remote monitoring

    Set-up of home transmitter and review of alerts between visits.

  • Device optimisation

    AV and VV delay adjustment, especially in CRT, to improve response.

  • Post-shock evaluation

    Urgent interrogation after any ICD therapy to establish appropriateness and next steps.

Safety and eligibility

Non-invasive, but not without rules.

A device check itself is entirely non-invasive. The practical points are around MRIs, ICD shocks and everyday life with a device.

  • Non-invasive

    The programmer wand sits over your device - nothing goes into your body.

  • No injections or radiation

    No needles, no contrast, no X-rays.

  • 30-45 minutes

    Most in-person checks take about half an hour; CRT a little longer.

  • Bring your device card

    It tells the physiologist the manufacturer and model, and speeds everything up.

  • Remote monitoring

    Home transmissions can replace some in-person visits - ask your cardiac device clinic if you don’t have it.

  • Repeated ICD shocks are a red flag

    One shock: same-day review. Repeated shocks: 999 or nearest emergency department.

  • Driving rules post-shock

    DVLA rules vary - check with your cardiologist before returning to the wheel.

  • MRI-safe programming

    Essential before and after any scan; not every device is MRI-conditional.

Reading your report

A device printout can look intimidating. It isn’t.

Whether a routine surveillance visit or a post-shock interrogation, the report keeps to the same four parts.

A London cardiac physiologist reviewing a device interrogation

A quiet reminder

Most checks show a stable device - reprogramming is minor and painless.

If you would like it talked through before your follow-up, ask your cardiologist or device clinic.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details, indication and device

    Who you are, why you were checked, and the make, model and serial number of the device.

  2. 02 Technique

    Interrogation summary

    The programmer used, tests performed, and any reprogramming carried out.

  3. 03 Findings

    Battery, leads, arrhythmia log, therapy

    Battery status and longevity, lead impedances and thresholds, stored events and any therapy delivered.

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    Normal, reprogramming carried out, replacement plan, or follow-up interval - read this first.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Frequently asked

Common questions about pacemaker and ICD checks.

Quick answers on cost, intervals, remote monitoring, MRI and after a shock.

  • What does a device check involve?

    A programmer wand is placed over your device. It reads battery status, lead performance, stored arrhythmia events and any therapy delivered. Reprogramming, if needed, is done on the spot. The whole visit takes 30-45 minutes.

  • In-person or remote - which do I need?

    Most patients have a mix. Remote monitoring transmits data from home between visits; an in-person check is still needed periodically and any time symptoms change. Your cardiac device clinic can set up both.

  • How much does a private device check cost in London?

    A pacemaker check is typically £180-£350; an ICD £220-£400; a CRT £280-£500. Remote monitoring set-up is £250-£500.

  • How often should I have a check?

    Usually every 6-12 months for a pacemaker or ICD, with a first check about six weeks after implant. Remote monitoring can extend the interval between in-person visits.

  • Do I need a check before an MRI?

    Yes. Even MRI-conditional devices need to be programmed to MRI-safe mode before the scan and back afterwards.

  • How long does the battery last?

    Typically 6-10 years for a pacemaker and 5-8 for an ICD, depending on pacing percentage and settings. The check gives an estimated remaining longevity.

  • What if I’ve had a shock from my ICD?

    One shock without ongoing symptoms warrants a same-day check. Repeated shocks are a medical emergency - call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department.

  • Can I travel through airport security?

    Yes. Show your device card to security staff and ask for a hand-search. Modern scanners are generally safe but the card avoids delay.

  • Do I need to bring anything?

    Your device card is the single most useful item. A list of medications and any recent letters from your cardiologist help too.

  • When should I see a GP urgently?

    Repeated ICD shocks, blackouts, sustained palpitations, breathlessness at rest, or wound problems around the device site all warrant urgent review.

Related tests

Looking for a different test?

In practice, in London

The London pathway for pacemaker icd check

With pacemaker icd check, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. On the NHS, pacemaker icd check typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to - and it’s a common reason people consider private care.

A typical private booking for pacemaker icd check in London starts with a consultant conversation - sometimes in person on Harley Street or Marylebone, sometimes on video if that suits better. Any imaging or diagnostics happen at a nearby CQC-registered facility, and reports usually land within 24 to 72 hours. The whole loop, from first call to written report, is often done inside a fortnight. For pacemaker icd check specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

It helps to keep expectations realistic. A private pacemaker icd check appointment in London won’t change the underlying medicine - the guidelines, the consultants, and the equipment are largely the same as on the NHS. What it changes is speed, continuity, and the amount of time you get to actually talk through the findings. UK doctors must be GMC-registered, and independent healthcare facilities in England are regulated by the CQC.