KCR Spring Summer 2026 Mag final - Flipbook - Page 64
Listen to Your Heart Health
Prevention Is the New Priority
Your heart is one of a kind. Its care should be too. As global leaders in
cardiology, Cleveland Clinic has been at the forefront of breakthrough
heart care for decades. That kind of expertise makes Cleveland Clinic
London a clear choice for all things cardiology. However, heart health is
not only about reacting to problems when they appear but about understanding risk, noticing subtle signals and knowing when to investigate
further. Heart issues rarely announce themselves dramatically. They
often develop quietly and the most e昀昀ective cardiovascular care should
begin long before serious symptoms appear. It starts with awareness,
assessment and booking the right screenings at the right time.
Knowing Your Risk Is the First Step
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness in the UK,
but it’s also one of the most preventable. Genetics can play a large role,
but lifestyle, environment, stress and underlying health conditions are
equally important contributors. What makes cardiovascular risk particularly complex is that these contributing factors can interact silently
for years. Understanding your personal risk is all about gaining clarity
and a well-informed assessment allows you to make practical, measured
decisions based on evidence rather than guesswork. Some people seek
evaluation because of symptoms., others do so because of family history,
demanding lifestyles or a simple desire to take a proactive approach to
heart health.
• Cardiovascular Risk Prevention Package - For identifying early signs of
heart disease and understanding your overall cardiovascular risk, with
the option for advanced heart imaging.
• Breathlessness Package - For investigating unexplained shortness of
breath and assessing both heart and lung function.
• Palpitations Package - For evaluating irregular heartbeats, 昀氀utters or
racing heart sensations through extended rhythm monitoring.
CT calcium scoring is often suggested because it can reveal the earliest
signs of coronary artery disease before symptoms appear. However, it is
only one part of the much broader landscape of preventive heart care.
If you’re interested in learning more about tests and packages, starting
from as little as £99, visit Cleveland Clinic London website or call
020-3423-7500 and select option 1.
Why Consultant-Led Care Matters
In healthcare, access is important, but expertise is everything. Consultant-led cardiology ensures decisions are guided by deep clinical
experience. A skilled cardiologist does more than interpret results. They
connect symptoms to lifestyle, family history, imaging and your longterm risk, and can follow up with questions machines simply can’t. They
know when reassurance is appropriate and when further investigation is
essential. That’s why patients all over the world turn to Cleveland Clinic
for the most complex cases in heart care.
When to Consider an Assessment
A Refugee’s Life-Saving Heart Surgery
While chest pain is a well-known symptom, many early indicators are
more subtle. Common symptoms to take notice of include:
• Shortness of breath
• Increased fatigue
• Palpitations or irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness or fainting episodes
• Persistent discomfort in the chest, neck, jaw or upper back
Risk factors that warrant closer attention include:
• Chronic stress
• Diabetes
• Family history of heart disease or stroke
• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• Poor sleep
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking history
Maybe you’ve felt a 昀氀utter in your chest, noticed you’re more winded
than usual or have a family history of heart problems. Whatever the
case, Cleveland Clinic London o昀昀ers the latest cardiac diagnostic tests at
all its London locations, with the option to bundle multiple services to
make your booking as convenient as possible.
Vlad, a 19-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was born with a bicuspid aortic
valve, meaning his aortic valve had two lea昀氀ets instead of the usual
three. His father had the same condition and died when Vlad was just
10 months old. In March 2021, aged 16, Vlad underwent open-heart
surgery in Ukraine to replace one of his valves, a procedure that came
with a long and di昀케cult recovery.
But, after war broke out in February 2022, Vlad was forced to move
to the UK. In May 2023, a routine GP check-up revealed an abnormal
blood test result, leading to a diagnosis by Dr Sam Dawkins, an interventional cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic London, of a rare and serious
paravalvular leak. In July 2023, Dr Dawkins successfully performed
a paravalvular leak closure procedure. The procedure took only 90
minutes, and Vlad returned home the very next day. And thanks to
Cleveland Clinic Philanthropy UK, his treatment was fully funded. He
has since recovered well, continues regular check-ups and is enjoying
the active lifestyle he once had.
“Dr Dawkins is one of the best doctors I have ever met in my life. He
explained serious things in simple language,” says Vlad. “I will always be
grateful for the care I received at Cleveland Clinic London.”
The Role of Heart Diagnostic Tests
The Cleveland Clinic London Approach
Today’s heart tests are not one-size-昀椀ts-all. They are carefully selected
based on your symptoms, medical history and personal risk pro昀椀le, because the goal is not to test for the sake of testing. The goal is to build a
precise picture of how your heart is functioning and whether early signs
of disease are present.
Whether you’re seeking a diagnosis, advanced treatment or a second
opinion, Cleveland Clinic London leads the way in personalised heart
care. From initial consultation through diagnostics and follow-ups,
every patient receives individualised care. Their world class consultants
work directly with imaging specialists, cardiac nurses and preventive
medicine teams. This collaborative model ensures that every decision
is considered within the broader context of each individual’s health and
future risk.
Common diagnostic tools include:
• Advanced blood testing
• CT calcium scoring
• Electrocardiograms
• Echocardiograms
• Exercise stress testing
Depending on your symptoms and risk, private outpatient cardiology
diagnostic packages o昀昀ered by Cleveland Clinic include:
• CT Calcium Scoring - A quick, safe and non-invasive scan that checks
for calcium build-up in the arteries supplying the heart. The presence of
calcium can be an early indicator of coronary artery disease, often before
any symptoms appear.
If you’re facing a heart issue or simply want a better understanding of
your heart health, book a consultation with a specialist at Cleveland
Clinic London today.
Visit:
https://clevelandcliniclondon.uk/clinical-institutes/heart-vascular-thoracic/cardiology
