Private heart health check in Cambridge
Last reviewed: October 2026
A heart health check tells you how likely you are to develop heart disease, and whether any is already present, so you can act before it causes problems. Every check is led by a consultant cardiologist and tailored to you, rather than a fixed package of tests.
Who it is for
A heart health check is designed for adults without urgent symptoms who want a clear picture of their heart risk. It is particularly worthwhile if you:
Family history
A parent, brother or sister had a heart attack, stent or bypass at a young age (men under 55, women under 65).
Raised cholesterol
High cholesterol, a known high Lp(a) result, or a family member with inherited high cholesterol.
Other risk factors
High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking now or in the past, or South Asian heritage.
It also suits people who are unsure whether to start a statin, and those planning to step up intense exercise or endurance events who want reassurance first.
If you already have symptoms such as chest tightness, breathlessness on exertion or palpitations, a standard cardiology consultation is the right starting point. Your insurer is also more likely to cover it.
What's included
- Consultant consultation. A detailed discussion of your symptoms, lifestyle, medicines and family history, followed by an examination and blood pressure measurement.
- ECG. A tracing of your heart's electrical activity to check rhythm and look for signs of strain or previous damage.
- Blood tests. A full cholesterol (lipid) profile, lipoprotein(a), a test for diabetes (HbA1c), and kidney and liver function.
- Risk calculation. Your results are combined into an estimate of your 10-year and lifetime risk of heart attack and stroke, using the QRISK3 calculator recommended in the UK.
- Further tests, where they will change your care. Depending on your results, these may include:
- CT coronary angiogram with coronary calcium score
- echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
- cardiac MRI
- myocardial perfusion scan
Where: [Cambridge Heart Clinic / Royal Papworth Hospital — confirm location for heart health checks]
CT coronary angiogram and calcium score
A CT coronary angiogram is a scan that shows the heart arteries directly, without the need for a catheter. It is the most informative test for finding coronary artery disease before it causes symptoms.
A coronary calcium score measures the amount of hardened (calcified) plaque in the arteries. A score of zero is reassuring, and higher scores mean higher risk. The calcium score is usually performed as part of the CT coronary angiogram rather than on its own.
Why both, not a calcium score alone?
Calcium is only part of the picture. Softer, non-calcified plaque does not show up on a calcium score but can be seen on the full CT angiogram. Seeing your total plaque burden gives a more reliable basis for deciding whether you need treatment.
The scan takes around 10 to 15 minutes. It uses a small dose of X-ray radiation and an iodine-based contrast dye given through a drip. You may be given a tablet beforehand to slow your heart rate for clearer images.
Lipoprotein(a)
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a type of cholesterol particle whose level is largely set by your genes. A raised level increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and aortic valve narrowing, even when your other cholesterol results look normal.
Around one in five people has a raised Lp(a), and most do not know it, because it is not part of a routine cholesterol test. Diet and exercise have little effect on it, so it only needs measuring once in your lifetime.
Knowing your Lp(a) changes how aggressively other risk factors, such as LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, should be treated. It is also useful information for your close relatives, who may have inherited it too.
After your check
- A clear explanation: we go through every result together, in plain language.
- A written summary: a letter to you and, with your permission, to your GP.
- A personal plan: practical advice on diet, exercise and other risk factors, and treatment such as cholesterol-lowering medicines where they will help.
- Follow-up where needed: if a test shows significant narrowing, I will discuss the next steps with you, including further treatment if appropriate.
What a check can and cannot do
A heart health check estimates your risk and looks for disease that is already present. It cannot guarantee that you will not have a heart problem in the future, and it does not replace seeing a doctor if new symptoms develop.
Not everyone needs every test. Tests are recommended only when the result is likely to change your care. More scans are not always better: they carry small risks and can find incidental abnormalities, for example small lung nodules on a CT scan, that need further tests but rarely turn out to be serious.
Fees and insurance
Most private medical insurers do not cover screening if you have no symptoms, so heart health checks are usually self-funded. If you have symptoms, your assessment is normally covered as a standard consultation. Please check with your insurer before booking.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Consultation, ECG and blood tests | [£] |
| CT coronary angiogram with calcium score | [£] |
| Echocardiogram | [£] |
Fees for any further scans or treatment are confirmed with you in writing before they go ahead.
Questions patients ask
Do I need a GP referral for a heart health check?
If you are paying for yourself, you can usually book directly. If you are using private medical insurance, your insurer will normally ask for a GP referral and a pre-authorisation number.
Will my insurance cover a heart health check?
Most insurers do not cover screening if you have no symptoms. If you have symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness, your assessment is usually covered as a normal consultation. Check with your insurer before booking.
Do I need to fast before the blood tests?
Usually not. A non-fasting cholesterol test is accurate enough for most people. You will be told in advance if fasting is needed.
Does everyone need a CT scan?
No. A CT coronary angiogram is recommended when it is likely to change your treatment, for example if your risk is borderline or you have a strong family history. Many people need only the consultation, ECG and blood tests.
Is a CT coronary angiogram safe?
It is a low-risk scan. It uses a small dose of X-ray radiation and an iodine-based contrast dye given through a drip. The scan can also pick up incidental findings outside the heart, such as small lung nodules, which may need follow-up.
How often should I have a heart health check?
It depends on your results. Lipoprotein(a) only needs measuring once. If your risk is low, a repeat check every few years is usually enough; if you start treatment, follow-up is tailored to you.
Book a heart health check
Dr Tom Kaier is a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Royal Papworth Hospital. He sees self-funding and insured patients on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
View booking optionsA heart health check is not suitable for urgent symptoms. If you have chest pain at rest, or chest pain that does not settle, call 999.
Written and reviewed by Dr Thomas Kaier MD MRCP(UK) MBA PhD, GMC No. 7025841.
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