Cardiac CT has become a first-line way to investigate chest pain and assess coronary risk, precisely because it gives so much information without an invasive procedure. It can confirm that the arteries are healthy, which is genuinely reassuring, or it can identify disease early enough to treat it well. At the Harley Street Clinic on Devonshire Street in London, cardiac CT is interpreted by Professor Michael Henein, a Professor of Cardiology with internationally recognised cardiac imaging expertise built from tens of thousands of imaging cases. Reading cardiac CT well requires experience, and here the images are interpreted by a senior consultant rather than reported at a distance.
In practice, a cardiac CT rarely stands alone. It usually sits alongside a clinical consultation, an ECG, blood tests and often echocardiography, which assesses how the heart muscle and valves are functioning. Together these build a fuller picture than any single test.
Who needs a cardiac CT scan?
A cardiac CT scan is often recommended for people with chest pain or breathlessness where coronary artery disease is possible, for those at intermediate risk where a clearer picture would guide treatment, and for anyone with a strong family history of early heart disease. It is also used to clarify uncertain findings from other tests. Patients from London, other UK cities and abroad.
What to expect on the day
1
You are advised beforehand about caffeine and any medicine that may help steady your heart rate for clearer images.
2
Where a CT coronary angiogram is planned, a small cannula is placed to contrast dye can be given.
3
You lie still and hold your breath briefly while the scanner captures the images. The scan itself is quick.
4
Professor Henein reviews the images with you and explains the findings and any next steps.
Types of cardiac CT offered
The two main studies are the coronary calcium score, which is quick and needs no injection, and the CT coronary angiogram, which uses contrast to show the arteries in detail. The right scan, or combination, is chosen with you at consultation, so that imaging matches your symptoms and risk rather than following a fixed protocol.
Why choose Professor Henein for a cardiac CT scan
The accuracy of a cardiac CT scan depends heavily on the expertise of the cardiologist interpreting it. Professor Henein is a Consultant Cardiologist and Professor of Cardiology whose imaging expertise is recognised internationally, with fifteen years at Royal Brompton Hospital and a substantial academic record including Guest editing journals and hundreds of scientific publications.
Because he manages the complete patient journey from imaging through diagnosis and treatment, your scan leads directly into a clear plan.
Common questions about a cardiac CT scan
What does a cardiac CT scan show?
It images the heart and coronary arteries, detecting calcium and, with contrast, any narrowing, without the tubes and wires of an invasive procedure.
Is a cardiac CT scan safe?
The scan uses a low dose of radiation and, for a CT coronary angiogram, a contrast dye given through a small cannula.
How should I prepare?
You may be advised to avoid caffeine and, where needed, to take medication that steadies the heart rate for clearer images.
How long does the scan take?
The appointment usually takes around 30 minutes, and the images are reviewed with you.
Which cardiac CT scan will I have?
This depends on your symptoms and risk. A coronary calcium score is quick and needs no injection, while a CT coronary angiogram uses contrast to show the arteries in detail.
Book a cardiac CT scan
To arrange a cardiac CT scan with Professor Michael Henein, contact the clinic at 16 Devonshire Street, London W1G 7AF, in the heart of the Harley Street medical district. Appointments are available to patients from London, other UK cities and abroad. To book, call +44 20 7228 8546 or email hayley.gibbs@hcaconsultant.co.uk, or use the booking button on this page to request an appointment. Professor Henein oversees each stage of your care, from your first appointment through any imaging, diagnosis and treatment, so your heart is looked after by one experienced consultant throughout.