Skip to content

Cardiac non-invasive diagnostics

What we do

We carry out a wide range of non-invasive investigations using the latest, cutting-edge technology to help diagnose underlying heart conditions. We are also one of the leading centres in Europe for clinical research. We work closely with King’s Heart Failure Service, Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic (RACPC) and Cardiac Rehabilitation.

The main tests we offer are:

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

This records the electrical activity that triggers each heartbeat. Small patches (electrodes) are attached to your body and connected to an ECG machine. Our GP-referred walk-in clinic is open 9am – 5pm, Monday-Friday (not open on bank or public holidays).

24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring

This records the electrical activity of your heart while you are doing your normal activities. Electrodes are attached to your chest and connected to a small lightweight recorder on a belt which you wear round your waist.

24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)

You wear a small blood pressure monitor and cuff which take regular readings while you are doing your normal activities.

Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET)

This measures your breathing, blood pressure and how much oxygen is in your blood while you exercise on a treadmill or cycle machine. You also have an ECG.

Exercise tolerance test (ETT)

This uses an ECG to record the electrical activity of your heart while you walk on a treadmill. Your blood pressure will also be monitored.

Tilt table test (TTT)

This involves lying down on a special table which is moved to a standing position. We then monitor your blood pressure and give you an ECG. We will place safety belts around your body to make you feel secure.

Preparing for your appointment

Your doctor will advise you whether you need to stop any medication you are taking.

  • If you are having 24-hour ambulatory ECG or blood pressure monitoring you will not be able to bathe or shower while you are wearing the recorder.
  • If you are having CPET, do not smoke for at least eight hours before the test, and avoid drinks containing caffeine for two hours beforehand. Try to be well rested and avoid any heavy exercise earlier on the same day. Please tell us of any conditions that could affect your ability to move, walk, stand or keep your balance.
  • If you are having an ETT, do not have a heavy meal within one hour of the test. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, suitable for exercise. If you take beta blockers, you should stop 48 hours before your test, unless specifically requested not to stop by your cardiologist.
  • If you are having a TTT, do not eat or drink for four hours before the test and bring a change of clothes.

Location

Suite 6, First Floor, Golden Jubilee Wing, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS

Contact Details

Conditions we treat

We provide a full range of non-invasive cardiac diagnostics, most of which – but not all – can be referred to by GPs.

They include:

  • 12-lead ECG – direct access walk-in GP service for adult patients with non-urgent symptoms and history, for a non-reported routine 12-lead ECG. This service is a walk-in service for patients able to mobilise themselves onto an examination couch (the department cannot accommodate stretcher patients at present). Patients with symptoms and/or clinical history indicating acute coronary disease, arrhythmias with profound bradycardia or tachycardia, or a hypotensive state, should be treated as an emergency and not referred to this routine service.
  • 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring for patients with arrhythmias, palpitations, dizziness, blackouts or requiring a medication review. This is a GP open access service for 24-hour tape only.
  • 24-hour blood pressure monitoring for patients with hypertension, White Coat Syndrome or requiring a medication review.
  • Exercise tolerance testing (ETT) for patients with exertional chest pain, arrhythmias, palpitations, dizziness or requiring a DVLA or medication review. This is a GP open access service.
  • Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for patients with cardiovascular or respiratory disease, an impairment/disability, to prescribe pulmonary rehabilitation, for preoperative evaluation before lung, heart and heart-lung transplantation, or to measure exercise tolerance. This service cannot be referred to by GPs.
  • Table tilt testing (TTT) for patients who have been experiencing dizzy spells or blackouts and who have been referred to one of our cardiologists by their doctor. The cardiologist may feel that their symptoms are related to a change in blood pressure or heart rate, in which case they will request a tilt test and an outpatient appointment will be made at our cardiology department. This service cannot be referred to by GPs.

Booking a patient at King’s

Routine Referrals

Email routine referrals to [email protected], including a completed referral form if available for the test required (see forms below).

For routine 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and ETT, phone 020 3299 4480.

Emergency Referrals

For emergency referrals for 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and ETT, phone 020 3299 4480.

Other Queries

For all other queries about 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and ETT, phone 020 3299 4480.

Referral forms

TitleFile SizeLink
12 lead ECG referral form39 KB
Download
24HR BP monitor referral form36 KB
Download
24HR ECG monitor referral form38 KB
Download
Cardiac diagnostics – Event Recorder referral form38 KB
Download
Echocardiography- Open Access form895 KB
Download

Key Clinical Staff

Name Role
Mrs Charly Abad Chief Echocardiographer
Mr Binoob Gopinath Chief Cardiac Physiologist
Mr Nishat Jahagirdar Principal Clinical Cardiac Physiologist - Head Of Dept
Mrs Nicola Kennedy Chief Echocardiographer
Mr Sergio Lamas Chief Echocardiographer
Miss Micaela Laybourn Lead Cardiac Physiologist CRM Clinic
Mr Bobit Lukban Echocardiographer
Mr Kevin Say Lead Cardiac Physiologist Education Co-Ordinator
Mrs Almira Whittaker Chief Echocardiographer