Cardiac CT (CT angio)

Your heart X-rayed – in multiple dimensions

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What is cardiac CT?

Cardiac CT is now considered the first line investigation for patients who have chest pain.

A cardiac CT allows us to accurately model and assesses the arteries within the heart.

About cardiac CT

In this video, Dr Joban Sehmi explains what you need to know about cardiac CT.
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Supplementary information about cardiac CT

Here, we’ve summarised the most important points about cardiact CT

What is a Cardiac CT?

Cardiac CT is now considered the first line investigation for patients who have chest pain.

It is a method which uses x-rays and dye injected through a vein to create accurate detailed images of the arteries within the heart.

To get the best possible results, you may receive medication to slow down your heart rate (beta-blockers) and open up your arteries (GTN).

It is for patients with chest pain. It may be used to risk assess patients with high cholesterol.

Cardiac CT is not painful or uncomfortable in any way.

We will give you some medication, and then our radiographer will insert a small tube in your arm through which dye will be given during the test.

The CT scanner looks like a large polo mint with a bed in the middle. You’ll be asked to lie on the bed, and we will connect you to the scanner.

The scan itself lasts about 10 minutes.

Once the scan is complete, you’re typically monitored for approximately 15 minutes to half an hour to ensure that the effects of the medication has worn off and you are feeling well.

The most serious adverse effect is an allergic reaction to the dye, but this is rare. Some patients may experience an urge to pass urine once the dye is administered- this is quite normal.

Patients who experience chest pain, or are breathless may have narrowing within the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.

The narrowing can be directly visualised with cardiac CT. Not only is it possible to see the extent to which the narrowing is obstructing blood flow in the heart arteries, it is also possible to see if there are early signs of disease (calcification) which may need treatment.

In addition, Cardiac CT allows us to assess all other structures within the chest like the lungs and food pipe which may be contributing to your symptoms.

The results are usually available the same day as the scan, and are reported by a cardiologist and a radiologist.

If the arteries are normal then usually no further action is needed. If there is evidence of mild narrowing within the heart arteries, the cardiologist will recommend medication to protect you from having a heart attack in the future.

If significant narrowing is identified, then you may be referred for some further test or interventions.

Cardiac CT is very safe.

The risks associated with cardiac CT are negligible. Cardiac CT involves ionizing radiation, so there is a theoretical risk of cancer, but this is very small. It is best that if you’re pregnant that you avoid a CT because it may harm your unborn child.

The main risks associated with cardiac CT are related to the dye. In a very small proportion of patients, they may experience a severe allergic reaction. However, the clinical team who look after you during the scan are trained to deal with any abnormal reactions to the dye.

Which of these three people describe you best?

Whether you have heart disease, are at risk, or are just generally curious about your heart health, we have a plan that can help you live a long and healthy life

You’re an active person and are curious about your heart health

In your opinion, you may have a low risk of heart disease, eat a balanced diet and make time for exercise. You may have no concerning symptoms and might have never been cautioned regarding your blood pressure or cholesterol. Still, you’re proactive. After the Many Beats Complete, you can run that marathon, hike that mountain and swim that channel confident that your heart and general health is ready for the challenge.

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You’re worried you might be at risk of heart disease

Worried about your risk of heart disease? Why wait to get diagnosed? Take action now to curb your risk and avoid medical or surgical treatment. Take our heart disease risk assessment. This easy online tool will guide you to what we think you should do next. After the Many Beats Complete, you could significantly reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Patients often receive compliments and words of encouragement, and their confidence grows tremendously.

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You have heart disease

If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease and want to maximise how you manage this disease, book an appointment with us. We’ll carry out the tests we need to give us all the data to map out a plan for you so you can live a healthier and longer life and avoid premature medical or surgical treatment. After the Many Beats Complete, you will have a renewed confidence in your future. Your energy will improve, and you will look and feel more youthful.

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What Avatar’s average day is like after treatment

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What avatar’s average day is like before treatment

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Good vs evil

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Many Beats gives you a map to turn your life around and avoid developing heart disease

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Insurers

We are happy to be assured by the following private medical insurance providers

It’s the wonderful words of our patients that make this job so worthwhile

Excellent bedside manner / patient care, thoughtful analysis and care. Great cardiologists!

J. T.

Dr Elghamaz was professional and compassionate in equal measure. He made me feel completely at ease and explained in detail exactly my situation answering all questions kindly and in a language I understood – not medical jargon. A complete gentleman under whose care I have every confidence.

R. R.

I called Dr Chahal’s secretary to get advice and an appointment for a stress echocardiogram as quickly as possible. Dr Chahal called me himself, to explain the procedure, and he managed to fit me in quickly, as I requested. On the day, he and his colleague carried out the test quickly, efficiently and kindly, explaining what they were doing and why. I would certainly recommend them as true healthcare professionals.

M. S.

Dr Elghamaz was very efficient, thorough and personable and made me feel at ease through through the process of undergoing several tests and then discussing results with myself and my husband to ensure we understood everything and were comfortable.

L. S.

Highly recommended. Professional, honest, put me at ease. Wonderful experience all around.

L. O.

Dr Elghamaz goes above and beyond for his patients. As well as being kind, he is extremely thorough, and I feel very comfortable knowing he is in charge of my care.

C. W.
Dr Sehmi is a fusion of the best of the old and new schools of medicine. Whilst reassuringly up to date with the latest evidence-based practice and comfortable with all the leading-edge technology of his field, he has always listened to my fears and given informed answers to all my questions.
S. L.

I had a really positive experience when I saw Dr Navin Chandra in his clinic. He took time to really listen to my problems and then explained what was wrong in simple terms. I had all my tests performed swiftly and have started to feel much better!

P.B.

Having been referred for specialist Cardiology review, I was very fortunate to be assigned Dr Sehmi as my Consultant. From the outset, his level of interest in my personal case has been exceptional. I have had several consultants for a variety of reasons over the years but Dr Sehmi is the first where a consultant has proactively followed up in between appointments to determine progress.

N. T.

I was admitted under Cardiology and Dr Chandra was my Consultant. He quickly got to the heart of the problem and he and his team didn’t miss a step. Later that evening Dr Chandra took the time to see my partner and his patience and knowledge gave us the answers to our many questions.

R. K.

Affiliations and memberships

We are happy to be associated with the following esteemed organisations

Live a longer and healthier life

Book an appointment and we’ll test your heart so we can map out a plan to give you the best chance of maximising your longevity.

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How it works

3 easy steps to get on the road to heart health

GET AN APPOINTMENT

Just get in touch with us to book a date and time that suits you and we’ll let you know how to visit.

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GET TESTED

Typically, we’ll set you up to take specific tests that will give us the information we need to make an accurate assessment of your heart’s health and recommend a plan.

LIVE LONGER

With your cardiologist-vetted plan, we’ll support you in the long term so you can build the habits that will enable you to live a longer and healthier life.

More information on heart disease

We’ve produced many informative videos and blog posts so you can educate yourself about heart disease risk factors, symptoms, tests and treatments.

Read more about heart disease

Educate yourself further about your heart health by reading the links below

To learn more about cardiovascular disease, including the causes and prevention techniques, click here.

The NHS has an informative write-up on cardiovascular diseases, which can be found here.

A great test that tells the myths and facts about your heart health can be found here.

If you would like an excellent overview of the symptoms of heart attacks, please click here.

If you would like to learn more about all the types of heart diseases, please click here for more information.

About the cardiologists

The Many Beats team consists of not one, but four highly experienced consultant cardiologists

Dr Navtej Chahal

Consultant Cardiologist

PhD FESC FACC

Navtej is a Consultant Cardiologist at Many Beats. He also consults at the London Northwest NHS Trust and the Royal Brompton Hospital, London having qualified from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Medical School in 2001. He is an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London…

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Dr Navin Chandra

Consultant Cardiologist

MD, MRCP, MBBS, BSc

Navin is a Consultant Cardiologist at Many Beats. He is also a Consultant Cardiologist at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust and an Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust. He qualified from Guy’s, King’s & St. Thomas’s in 2004...

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Dr Ahmed Elghamaz

Consultant Cardiologist

FRCP, MB BCh

Ahmed is a Consultant Cardiologist at Many Beats. He also consults at Northwick Park Hospital and London North West Healthcare University Hospitals NHS Trust and is an Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust. He completed his junior…

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Dr Joban Sehmi

Consultant Cardiologist

BSc, MBBS, MRCP, PhD

Joban is a Consultant Cardiologist at Many Beats. His NHS practice is at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS trust. He sees patients privately at Spire in Bushey and Bishops Wood Hospital in Northwood. He trained in medicine at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ medical school and qualified in 2003 with numerous academic awards…

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