Coronary Angiogram · Hertfordshire & London
A private coronary angiogram in Hertfordshire, with clear answers about chest pain in days not months
Troubled by chest pain, tightness or breathlessness?
A coronary angiogram is the test that shows whether your heart arteries are
narrowed, arranged and overseen by Dr Paul Kirk, a consultant
cardiologist.
Clear answers in days, with assessment across Hertfordshire and
London and no GP referral needed.
Fee-assured with all major insurers Self-funding patients welcome No GP referral required
Dr Paul KirkConsultant Cardiologist
Insurance & Funding
Coronary angiogram cover with every major UK insurer
The major insurers cover both CT and invasive coronary angiography when a cardiologist advises it. Dr Kirk is fee-assured, so his fees stay within the limits your insurer has agreed and you are protected from unexpected shortfalls. If you are claiming on insurance, your provider will usually ask for a GP referral and an authorisation code before your appointment.
- Bupa
- AXA Health
- Aviva
- Vitality
- WPA
We Understand
Chest pain is frightening, and not knowing the cause is worse
If chest pain or breathlessness has unsettled you, you are not alone, and you do not have to keep wondering. Here is what many of our patients describe before they arrange a coronary angiogram with Dr Kirk.
The symptoms that bring you here
Perhaps it is a tightness or pressure in your chest that arrives when you climb the stairs or walk uphill, then settles when you stop. Perhaps it is breathlessness that was not there a year ago, or simply a worry that something is not right with your heart. Symptoms like these are hard to ignore, and harder still to put out of your mind.
The not knowing is the hardest part
You may have had an ECG, or been told to wait and see. Perhaps a close relative had heart trouble early in life, and the thought stays with you. An NHS cardiology referral can mean a wait of many weeks, and every twinge in that time becomes a fresh question. It is the uncertainty, more than anything, that wears you down.
A clear answer about your arteries, with Dr Paul Kirk
It does not have to stay this way. Dr Kirk is a consultant cardiologist who sees private patients within days. He listens carefully, examines you and assesses your chest pain in full before recommending the right test, whether that is a CT coronary angiogram or an invasive coronary angiogram at a specialist cardiac centre. Most patients leave with a firm answer and a clear plan.
Request Private Appointment
Meet Your Consultant
Meet Dr Paul Kirk
BSc, MBBS, MRCP, MD, FRCP · Consultant Cardiologist
Dr Paul Kirk is a consultant cardiologist who specialises in non-invasive heart diagnostics and general cardiology. Patients know him for his calm, unhurried manner and his gift for explaining complex results in clear, reassuring language.
He qualified from St George's, University of London, and completed advanced research training at the Royal Brompton Hospital, Imperial College London. Today he is the Non-Invasive Cardiac Lead at Lister Hospital, with a particular interest in cardiac imaging and heart health in pregnancy.
- On the GMC Specialist Register in Cardiology
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
- Advanced training at the Royal Brompton Hospital
- Accredited in echocardiography and cardiac imaging
Patient Reviews
Trusted for calm, careful answers about the heart
A coronary angiogram is a big step, and patients want a cardiologist they can trust to guide it well. Here is what they say about Dr Kirk on the independent review platforms.
159 verified patient reviews
Read all on iWantGreatCare
Verified reviews
69 verified patient reviews
Read all on DoctifyFeedback meeting via video call. Very good and clear.
Dr Kirk is a first class cardiologist who I would recommend to anyone. I went to him when I needed a second opinion and his intervention of diagnosing angina probably saved my life. Very thorough and easy to understand. When I later had treatment his team were wonderful.
Written by patient at Pinehill Hospital
Dr Kirk is an excellent doctor, very thorough, attentive to my questions and concerns, and I would highly recommend.
Dr Kirk provided an excellent, efficient service which was much appreciated. I would highly recommend Dr Kirk.
Written by patient at Pinehill Hospital
Friendly and professional, very helpful.
I thoroughly recommend this doctor. He has an excellent manner and is very prepared to listen and discuss my condition. He provided clear and thorough explanation and recommendations. Just what I wanted.
Written by patient at Spire Harpenden Hospital
Very personable and professional.
Dr Kirk was a hugely reassuring presence for me even though my symptoms were not serious, so I can imagine he would be very supportive for more serious conditions. He explained all my results clearly and concisely in layman's terms. I cannot fault his attention or care, and his administrator Sue was excellent and very responsive.
Written by patient at Pinehill Hospital
Mr Kirk was very understanding and explained everything in a clear way.
Written by patient at One Hatfield Hospital
Request an Appointment
Start your coronary angiogram assessment in two simple steps
Tell us a little about your symptoms first, then your contact details. There is no need for a GP referral to be seen privately, and we will confirm availability within one working day.
Prefer to speak to someone?
Our team is glad to help you arrange your appointment over the phone.
0121 242 3299- No GP referral needed to be seen
- Consultant appointments within days
- CT and invasive angiography pathways
- Fee-assured with all major insurers
Thank you, your request has been received
A member of the Herts-London Cardiology team will contact you within one working day to confirm your appointment.
Consultation Fees
Clear fees, and an honest approach to angiogram costs
Your consultation fee is fixed and shown below. The coronary angiogram itself is quoted to you in advance, once Dr Kirk knows which test is right for you, so you can plan with complete confidence.
Initial Consultation
A thorough first appointment with Dr Kirk to assess your chest pain and heart health.
- A full, unhurried consultation with Dr Kirk, never rushed
- A careful assessment of your symptoms, history and any previous results
- A clear view on whether a coronary angiogram is needed, and which type
- Any heart tests arranged promptly, with the cost confirmed first
- A written summary and personalised plan for you and your GP
Follow-up Consultation
A return appointment to talk through your angiogram results and agree the next steps.
- A clear, full explanation of your angiogram or scan results
- Time to ask every question on your mind
- An updated treatment plan and clear next steps
- Continued support from Dr Kirk and the team
Why Choose Us
A faster, calmer route to a coronary angiogram
The NHS provides excellent cardiac care, and many angiograms are carried out on the NHS every day. The difference with private care is time, being seen quickly, by the same consultant, with room to ask everything you need to.
How It Works
Your coronary angiogram pathway, in four simple steps
From your first call to a clear diagnosis, every step is straightforward, well explained and unhurried.
Book your consultation
Call us or use the short online form. No GP referral is needed, and most patients are seen within days.
Your consultation with Dr Kirk
Dr Kirk listens to your symptoms, examines you and reviews your history, then advises whether a CT or invasive coronary angiogram is the right next step.
Your coronary angiogram
Your angiogram is arranged without delay. A CT coronary angiogram is a quick, detailed, non-invasive scan, while an invasive angiogram is a day-case procedure at a specialist cardiac centre.
Your results, explained clearly
Dr Kirk talks you through what the angiogram shows in plain language, gives you a written report and a personalised plan, and arranges any further care you need.
Where to Find Us
Consultations across Hertfordshire and London
Dr Kirk holds private clinics at six trusted hospitals, six days a week. If an invasive coronary angiogram is needed, it is arranged at a specialist cardiac centre with a dedicated catheter laboratory.
One Hatfield Hospital
Hatfield Avenue, Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9UA
Wednesday afternoons Get directionsPinehill Hospital
Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 9QZ
Wednesday evenings Get directionsSpire Harpenden Hospital
Ambrose Lane, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 4BP
Saturday mornings Get directionsThe Harley Street Clinic
78 Harley Street, London W1G 7HJ
Friday mornings Get directionsThe Cromwell Hospital
164-178 Cromwell Road, London SW5 0TU
Contact for clinic times View consultant profileBupa Health Centre, Canary Wharf
50 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5NT
Contact for clinic times View consultant profileWhere your angiogram takes place
Your consultation is at one of the clinics above. An invasive coronary angiogram is carried out at a specialist cardiac centre with a dedicated catheter laboratory. These procedures are arranged across various sites in Hertfordshire, London and Cambridgeshire, so your angiogram can take place at a centre that suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your coronary angiogram questions, answered
A few things patients often ask before booking. If anything else is on your mind, we are always happy to help.
A CT coronary angiogram, or CTCA, is a non-invasive scan. It uses a CT scanner and a contrast dye given through a small drip in the arm to produce detailed images of your heart arteries, with no recovery time needed. An invasive coronary angiogram uses a fine catheter passed through the wrist or groin to look directly at the arteries, and is usually chosen for higher-risk patients. Dr Kirk will advise which test is right for you.
Most patients are offered an appointment within a few days. Dr Kirk holds clinics six days a week across Hertfordshire and London, and a telephone or video consultation can often be arranged sooner still.
If you are paying for yourself, no referral is needed and you can book directly with Herts-London Cardiology. If you intend to claim through private medical insurance, your insurer will usually ask for a GP referral and an authorisation code. Any previous test results are helpful to bring along.
A coronary angiogram is a safe, routine procedure. For an elective diagnostic invasive angiogram, the risk of a serious complication is around 1 in 1,000. Minor bruising where the catheter is inserted is common and settles quickly, and using the wrist rather than the groin lowers the risk further. Dr Kirk will talk you through what to expect before you agree to go ahead.
You will be given clear, written instructions beforehand. If you take metformin for diabetes, you are usually asked to stop it for 24 hours before an angiogram, and if you take a blood thinner such as warfarin, you will be told exactly when to pause it. You are also normally asked not to eat for a few hours before the procedure. Dr Kirk's team will guide you through every step.
If the angiogram shows a narrowing in a coronary artery, Dr Kirk will explain clearly what it means for you. Depending on the findings, treatment may involve medication, or a procedure to open the artery such as angioplasty and a stent. Dr Kirk arranges the right treatment and, where specialist intervention is needed, refers you to an interventional cardiologist so you are in the best hands.
Dr Kirk is fee-assured with all major insurers, including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA, so his fees stay within your insurer's agreed limits. Because an angiogram can sometimes lead straight to treatment, ask your insurer to authorise both the diagnostic angiogram and any treatment in advance, so there is no delay.
Still have a question about your angiogram? Call us on 0121 242 3299.
Take the First Step
Stop wondering about your chest pain, and get a clear answer
Book a private coronary angiogram assessment with Dr Paul Kirk and be seen within days, not months.
Request Private AppointmentFee-assured with all major insurers · Self-funding patients welcome · No GP referral required