Private Heart Scan · Hertfordshire & London
A private heart scan in Hertfordshire, showing what is really going on with your heart, in days not months
That flutter in your chest, the breathlessness on the stairs, the dizzy moment
that made you stop. Symptoms like these are hard to ignore, and harder still to
explain away.
A private heart scan gives Dr Paul Kirk, a GMC-registered
consultant cardiologist with a special interest in cardiac imaging, a clear view
of how your heart is beating, pumping and supplied with blood.
He matches the right scan to your symptoms, oversees it himself and explains every
finding, with no GP referral needed.
Fee-assured with all major insurers Self-funding patients welcome Consultant-led from scan to results
Dr Paul KirkConsultant Cardiologist
Insurance & Funding
Heart scans recognised by every major UK insurer
Major insurers cover diagnostic heart scans when a consultant cardiologist advises one. 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, it is worth checking that your policy covers your chosen Hertfordshire clinic, and asking your insurer for a pre-authorisation code before your appointment.
- Bupa
- AXA Health
- Aviva
- Vitality
- WPA
The Hardest Part Is Not Knowing
Living with heart symptoms, and no clear answer, is exhausting
When something does not feel right with your heart, the not knowing can weigh as heavily as the symptoms themselves. Here is what many patients tell us they were carrying before a scan finally gave them an answer.
The symptoms you cannot quite explain
Perhaps your heart races or skips for no clear reason. Perhaps you feel breathless doing things that used to be easy, or you notice a tightness, a flutter or a wave of dizziness that comes and goes. Each episode leaves the same question behind: what is actually happening in there?
The cycle of worry and waiting
You look up your symptoms late at night. You wonder whether to trouble anyone, then worry that you have left it too long. A GP visit may end with reassurance, or with a referral and an NHS cardiology wait that can run into months. All the while, the answer you need feels no closer.
The right heart scan, and a clear answer, with Dr Kirk
You do not have to keep waiting and wondering. Dr Kirk sees private patients within days. He listens to the full story, examines you, and arranges the heart scan best suited to your symptoms, then sits with you to explain what it shows. Most patients leave with the very thing they came for: a clear answer, in plain words, and a plan they understand.
Request Private AppointmentTypes of Heart Scan
Which heart scan do you need?
A heart scan is not one single test. It is a family of scans, each one designed to answer a different question. Here are the main scans Dr Kirk uses, and the symptoms each one helps to explain.
Resting ECG
A quick, painless recording of your heart's electrical activity, taken while you rest. Small sensors on the skin capture each beat in moments, and it is often the very first scan a cardiologist reaches for.
Best for: a baseline check of your heart rhythm and electrical pattern
ECG and Holter monitoring
Symptoms that come and go are rarely caught in a short recording. A Holter monitor is worn at home, from 24 hours up to a week, recording every beat as you go about ordinary life.
Best for: palpitations, skipped beats, dizziness or blackouts
Echocardiogram, a heart ultrasound
A detailed ultrasound scan that shows your heart moving in real time. It measures the size of the chambers, how strongly the heart pumps, and how well the valves open and close.
Best for: breathlessness, heart murmurs and valve concerns
Stress echocardiogram
An echocardiogram performed while the heart is working harder, either through exercise or with medication. It reveals changes that only appear when the heart is under real demand.
Best for: chest pain on exertion and suspected reduced blood supply
CT coronary angiogram and calcium score
A fast CT scan that pictures the coronary arteries themselves. A calcium score measures hardened plaque, while a CT coronary angiogram uses a contrast dye to show any narrowing in three dimensions.
Best for: assessing chest pain and coronary artery disease risk
Cardiac MRI
A highly detailed scan that uses no radiation at all. Cardiac MRI looks closely at the heart muscle, telling healthy tissue apart from strain or scarring, and helps clarify more complex diagnoses.
Best for: a detailed look at the heart muscle and more complex cases
Not sure which scan you need? That is the point of your consultation
You do not have to work this out alone. At your first appointment, Dr Kirk listens to your symptoms and examines you, then recommends the scan, or scans, that will give the clearest answer. As a consultant cardiologist he can order heart scans himself, so there is no separate referral to chase. If you already know what you need, you can read more about a private ECG, ECG Holter monitoring or a coronary angiogram.
The Consultant Behind Your Scan
Your heart scan, led by Dr Paul Kirk
BSc, MBBS, MRCP, MD, FRCP · Consultant Cardiologist
A heart scan is only as helpful as the cardiologist who chooses it and reads it. Dr Paul Kirk is a consultant cardiologist whose work centres on non-invasive heart diagnostics, the scans and imaging that reveal how the heart is working without the need for surgery.
He qualified from St George's, University of London, and went on to complete advanced research training at the Royal Brompton Hospital, Imperial College London, one of the leading cardiac centres in the country. He is now the Non-Invasive Cardiac Lead at Lister Hospital, with a particular interest in cardiac imaging. From the moment a scan is chosen to the moment its results are explained, the same experienced consultant stays with you throughout.
- On the GMC Specialist Register in Cardiology
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
- Non-Invasive Cardiac Lead at Lister Hospital
- Accredited in echocardiography and cardiac imaging
Patient Experiences
What patients say about being in Dr Kirk's care
Choosing where to have a heart scan is not a decision people take lightly. These are verified reviews from patients who have already been seen by Dr Kirk.
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 a Heart Scan Appointment
Arrange your private heart scan in two simple steps
Start by telling us what is concerning you, and the team will take it from there. The first step asks about your symptoms, the second takes your contact details. No GP referral is needed.
Would you rather talk it through?
The team is always glad to help you arrange a heart scan over the phone.
0121 242 3299- No GP referral needed to book
- Most patients seen within days
- The right scan matched to your symptoms
- 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.
Clear Pricing
What a private heart scan costs, set out clearly
Private heart care should never come with uncertainty. Your care begins with a consultation, and if a scan is needed its cost is confirmed in writing before anything is booked, so you can plan with complete confidence.
Initial Consultation
An unhurried first appointment with Dr Kirk to understand your symptoms.
- A full consultation with Dr Kirk, with time to talk things through properly
- A careful review of your history and any previous heart tests
- Dr Kirk's expert opinion on which heart scan, if any, you need
- Any recommended scan arranged promptly, with the cost confirmed first
- A clear written summary and plan for you and your GP
Follow-up Consultation
A return visit to go through your scan results and agree what happens next.
- A clear, unhurried explanation of what your scan shows
- Time to ask every question on your mind
- A personalised plan and clear next steps
- Continued support from Dr Kirk and the team
Why Patients Choose HLC
A better way to get a heart scan
The NHS provides excellent cardiac care, but waiting lists for scans are long. Choosing a private heart scan with Dr Kirk simply means being seen sooner, by a consultant, with continuity from the first appointment to the final answer.
Your Heart Scan, Step by Step
From first call to clear answer, in four steps
Having a heart scan privately is simpler than many people expect. Here is exactly how it works.
Request your appointment
Call the team or complete the short enquiry form. There is no GP referral to arrange, and most patients are offered an appointment within days.
Talk it through with Dr Kirk
In an unhurried consultation, Dr Kirk listens to your symptoms, examines you and recommends the heart scan best suited to your situation.
Have your heart scan
Your scan is carried out at a comfortable private clinic in Hertfordshire or London. Many heart scans, such as an ECG or echocardiogram, are quick and completely painless.
Get your results and your plan
Dr Kirk explains what your scan shows in plain, calm language, and gives you a written summary and a clear plan, with support whenever you need it.
Where to Find Us
Heart scan clinics across Hertfordshire and London
Dr Kirk holds private clinics at six trusted hospitals, six days a week, so you can be seen at a location and time that suits you.
One Hatfield Hospital
Hatfield Avenue, 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 profileBooking your heart scan
Telephone and video consultations are available throughout the week, wherever you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your heart scan questions, answered
A few things patients often ask before booking a heart scan. If anything else is on your mind, the team is always happy to help.
Most patients are seen within days. Dr Kirk holds clinics six days a week across Hertfordshire and London, and once he has recommended a scan it is arranged promptly. Telephone and video consultations can often be offered even sooner.
No. You can book directly with Herts-London Cardiology without a GP referral. As a consultant cardiologist, Dr Kirk can assess you and order the heart scans you need himself. If you do have a referral letter or previous test results, please bring them, as they help build a full picture.
That is decided at your consultation. Dr Kirk matches the scan to your symptoms: an echocardiogram for breathlessness or a murmur, ECG monitoring for palpitations, or a CT or MRI scan where a more detailed view is needed. You do not need to work this out before you come in.
An ECG, an echocardiogram and a cardiac MRI use no ionising radiation and are painless. A CT heart scan uses a small, carefully controlled dose of radiation, which Dr Kirk reviews and justifies for you as a consultant, so a scan is only carried out when its benefit clearly outweighs that small risk.
An initial consultation with Dr Kirk is from £250 and a follow-up from £150. The cost of a scan itself depends on which one is recommended, and you are always given a clear, fixed price in writing before anything is booked, so there are no surprises.
If a scan shows something that needs attention, Dr Kirk explains it clearly and agrees the next steps with you. As a consultant cardiologist he can arrange any further investigations and treatment that are needed, so your care continues smoothly with someone who already knows your history.
Yes. Telephone and video consultations are available throughout the week and are well suited to discussing symptoms and reviewing results. Dr Kirk will let you know if an in-person appointment or a scan is needed, and arrange it for you.
Still have a question? Call the team on 0121 242 3299.
Your Answer Is Closer Than You Think
Stop wondering, and see exactly what your heart is doing
Book a private heart scan consultation with Dr Paul Kirk, and trade weeks of worry for a clear answer.
Request Private AppointmentFee-assured with all major insurers · Self-funding patients welcome · No GP referral required