Last review by Mr Birdi: March 2026
Specialist Cardiac Care
The Keyhole Heart Clinic offers a consultant-led heart health assessment for people who want clarity and confidence, not assumptions or generic screening. Under the leadership of cardiac care specialist, Mr Inder Birdi (GMC 3407978), we design every assessment around the patient’s history, risk factors and concerns.
You may feel well. You may exercise regularly, eat sensibly, and take your health seriously. Even for people who do everything right, questions about long-term heart health can still arise.
“How confident am I about my heart health?”
The British Medical Association has highlighted that some private screening programmes may include unnecessary or poorly explained tests. The danger of that approach is that it can lead to false positives and unnecessary additional procedures.
Our screening process is different. We don’t offer a pre-set screening package or a one-size-fits-all health MOT (measurements, observations and tests). Your assessment begins with a face-to-face consultation with an experienced cardiologist or cardiac surgeon. Based on your personal history, family background and current health, your consultant will design a tailored investigation plan, selecting only the tests that are genuinely relevant to you.
Who Performs the Screening
At the Keyhole Heart Clinic, screenings are conducted and reviewed by GMC-registered heart care specialists. You will have the same consultant throughout the programme, from the first appointment to possible procedures.
Our consultants follow evidence-based guidelines from organisations such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) to ensure safe, effective and accurate assessments.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace a consultation with a heart treatment specialist.
Consultant-led Care
Same consultant throughout your journey
How Our Cardiac Care Screening Differs
Many clinics offer fixed screening packages based on preset test menus. Our approach is different:
A single consultant oversees your care throughout
Advanced cardiac biomarkers are used as standard
Imaging is added only when it is clinically appropriate
Results lead to an actionable, personalised plan
When Should You Consider Screening?
You should consider attending a cardiac health screening if any of the following apply to your current lifestyle or history:
- Aged 40 or older with no recent heart health review
- Family history of early heart disease or stroke
- High cholesterol or high blood pressure
- You have diabetes or prediabetes
- You smoke or have a history of smoking
- You lead a sedentary lifestyle or have a high-stress occupation
- High-performance athlete needing sports cardiology evaluation
- You feel well but want expert reassurance
A resting heart rate outside the normal range (60–100 bpm), unexplained palpitations, arrhythmias or episodes of dizziness may warrant further investigation. These symptoms do not necessarily indicate a serious condition, but a heart care specialist should evaluate them.
Explaining The Important Tests
Performing a series of comprehensive tests allows us to visualise your current condition and find any irregularities in your heart’s performance.
Blood Tests
A blood test will be carried out to check for general disorders such as anaemia or inflammation and to assess your general health.
Lp(a) is a genetically determined risk factor that standard health screens often miss. Elevated Lp(a) significantly increases cardiovascular risk and is tested as part of our standard assessment.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An ECG will only take a few minutes to perform and gives us crucial information about how your heart is functioning. This simple test records your heart’s electrical activity and can identify rhythm abnormalities, signs of previous heart attacks, and other cardiac conditions.
Echocardiogram
A non-invasive ultrasound test that helps us assess heart muscle function. This check creates an image of your heart by bouncing sound waves off the organ. An echocardiogram will provide vital data on the heart muscle and valve functions, helping identify structural problems early.
Additional Cardiovascular Screening Tests
CT Calcium Score
£1,100A CT calcium score measures calcified plaque in coronary arteries. No preparation or radiation dye is necessary.
CT Coronary Angiography
£1,500Produces X-ray images of the coronary arteries to determine whether they are blocked or narrowed.
Cardiac MRI
POACardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a specialised procedure that produces a detailed scan and is used when symptoms suggest coronary artery disease.
Invasive Coronary Angiography
POAReserved for cases where non-invasive tests suggest significant disease.
We will discuss the cost of additional tests during your consultation.
The Heart Health Assessment Fees
A consultant-led, stepwise evaluation of your heart and cardiovascular risk.
Comprehensive baseline evaluation
Added when clinically appropriate
Recommended only when it adds value to your individual assessment.
Your consultant will discuss whether additional imaging is appropriate based on your initial results and personal risk profile.
If a Problem is Identified
If your assessment reveals an issue, you are not left to navigate the next steps alone. Our team will:
Insurance & Payment
The Heart Health Assessment is currently a self-pay service. This ensures your care is driven entirely by clinical need, without insurance-imposed limitations on which tests can be performed.
As a structured preventive assessment delivered by a consultant, many private health insurance policies will reimburse part or all of the cost. We recommend checking with your insurer before attending.
We can provide clinical letters and reports to support any claim. For further information, please contact our team on +44 20 8079 7860 or email team@thekeyholeheartclinic.com .
Book Your Assessment
Hospital Locations for Heart Screenings
We provide outstanding care to patients at cardiac hospitals in London and across the UK, depending on the procedure and patient needs.
Our heart screening program is available at:
- Cromwell Hospital London
- Harley Street London
- The Park Hospital Nottingham
- The Priory Hospital Birmingham
Consultations and procedures are arranged according to the most convenient location for each cardiac patient.
FAQs
Explore our answers to frequently asked questions for cardiac patients.
What is heart failure, and how can screening help?
Heart failure is a condition where the heart can’t effectively pump blood, leading to symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness and fluid retention. Early screening can identify risk factors and early signs of heart failure, allowing timely intervention and lifestyle adjustments.
What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a structured programme designed to help patients during recovery and improve heart function after heart surgery, a cardiac event or other procedures. We have partnered with healthcare professional Angela Hartley of Clinical Exercise to provide a comprehensive programme.
Screening can also help determine if cardiac rehab is needed and how to manage it safely.
How can I improve my overall heart health?
Maintaining good heart health involves regular screening, early detection of heart conditions, balanced nutrition, exercise and management of blood pressure and cholesterol. Consultant-led assessments, like those at The Keyhole Heart Clinic, help identify personalised strategies for long-term heart protection.
How does screening help with existing heart conditions?
If you already have a heart condition, screening can provide detailed insight into your current heart function and risks, helping improve treatment plans. It also helps with decisions about cardiac rehabilitation or lifestyle adjustments to support ongoing health and a better quality of life.
How often should I have a heart screening?
Frequency depends on a person’s risk factors, age and any existing heart conditions. For many patients, an annual review is recommended, but your consultant may advise more frequent monitoring if needed to maintain optimal heart health.
Founder: Mr Inderpaul Birdi, MBBS, MD, FRCS (CTh)
Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon | Clinical Lead, The Keyhole Heart Clinic
Featured in The Surgeon Channel 5
Mr Inderpaul Birdi is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons with over 20 years’ experience as a Consultant Cardiac Surgeon. He trained at the Royal Papworth Hospital and the Royal Brompton Hospital.
References & Further Research
- Eaton L. BMA warns against unnecessary screening tests in private sector. BMJ. 2005 Sep 3;331(7515):475. PMCID: PMC1199058
- ESC Clinical Guidelines for Cardiovascular care. (n.d.). https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines
- NICE. (2023, December 14). Overview | Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification | Guidance | NICE. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng238
