Heart Scan
Echocardiogram 03 July, 2024

Can I Self Refer for an Echocardiogram (heart scan)?

Your heart health matters. Monitoring your heart's well-being is one of the most vital aspects of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. One way to achieve this is through regular echocardiogram heart screening scans.
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Why Heart Scans Matter 

An echocardiogram, commonly called an 'echo,' is a specialised ultrasound scan of the heart.  Echocardiograms use high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of your heart, providing valuable information about its size, shape, and function. They help detect various heart conditions, such as heart valve issues, congenital heart defects and heart muscle diseases. Early detection can make a significant difference in managing and treating heart-related problems. 

The advantages of opting for the self-referral pathway for your Echo include: 

  • It is a straightforward, cost-effective, and rapid process

  • Access to high-quality facilities at convenient locations across the UK

  • A team of accredited and experienced staff members

  • Reports are written by a Highly Specialist Cardiac Physiologist and overseen by a Consultant Cardiologist

 

Why Consider an Echo? 

Thanks to self-referral options like our Echo Self-Referral service, taking charge of your health has never been easier. Whether you have specific symptoms or want a heart screening scan for peace of mind, this diagnostic tool has many advantages: 

  • Early Detection: An echo scan can detect heart issues in their early stages, making it easier to manage and treat conditions before they worsen. It can help detect heart valve disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy and coronary disease.

  • In-Depth Assessment: It provides a detailed assessment of your heart's structure, function and blood flow.

  • Symptom Investigation: If you're experiencing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations, an echo can help detect the cause.

  • Peace of Mind: For those looking to maintain their heart health, an echo scan offers reassurance and valuable insights into your cardiovascular well-being. 

 

The Self-Referral Process 

Our self-referral service lets you take charge of your health without needing a doctor's referral. Regardless of cardiac symptoms, you can self-refer for an echocardiogram if you are 18 and above. Please be aware that we cannot scan patients with suspected or confirmed congenital heart disease.  

 

1. Choose Your Location 

You can select the nearest Vista Health location. This convenience eliminates the need for long commutes or waiting times, making it accessible to everyone. 

 

2. Schedule Your Appointment 

Our website lets you easily book your echocardiogram online. Select a convenient date and time that suits your schedule. We offer flexible appointment times to accommodate your schedule. We maintain transparent pricing, so you know the cost upfront. You can find a suitable slot whether you prefer a weekday morning or a weekend afternoon. 

  

3. Alternatively, Submit Your Self-Referral 

You can submit your referral if you seek further advice or support during your journey with us. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will contact you, offering guidance before you finalise your booking. 

  

4. Attend Your Appointment 

On the day of your appointment, arrive at your chosen Vista Health clinic at the scheduled time. We look forward to warmly welcoming you to our Diagnostic Centre. 

  

Patient Testimonials 

Marie is delighted with rapid access to Echo 

“I was having real trouble breathing and was referred by my GP for an urgent echo scan, but after waiting two weeks, my referral still hadn’t arrived. I had heard about Vista Health through a friend, so I visited your website and contacted you directly. My referral was arranged within minutes, and my scan was booked for the next day.” – Read Marie’s experience here.  

Tracey is impressed with easy to book Echo

"Easy to book. Excellent service, quick, efficient and pleasant. Very pleased. If I required another echo, I wouldn’t hesitate to use this service again." 

 

How much is an Echocardiogram? 

The cost of a private echocardiogram scan with Vista Health starts from only £250, which covers the cost of the heart scan along with the written report. All reports include clinical oversight by a Consultant Cardiologist.


 

Book your Echo with Vista Health 

Booking an appointment is easy and can be done through our website or by contacting our patient care team directly via phone if you prefer speaking with someone. If you have any enquiries before or after your appointment, please contact us; we will respond promptly. 

Once our Physiologists and Cardiology Consultants have assessed your images and written your report, you and your GP will receive a copy of the results within three days of your appointment. 

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Find out more about what Vista Health can offer you. We’re the UK’s largest independent provider of specialist diagnostic services, and we offer a wide range of affordable scanning and screening services. We offer appointments seven days a week, at locations throughout the UK.

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Frequently asked questions

If you’re about to begin a healthcare journey, you’re likely to have a few questions. We’ve tried to answer the most common queries here - but if you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can always ask one of our friendly patient care advisors.  

I don’t have any symptoms. Can I still book a procedure? 

Yes. Diagnostic healthcare can provide reassurance that all is well, and help you plan a healthy future lifestyle. 

Can I discuss my results? 

We offer a consultation service with GMC registered GPs to discuss your scan results. 


*20% consultation discount will be applied when booked together with your scan.

How much will diagnostic healthcare cost? 

Our diagnostic services start from as little as £75. 

What if I cannot refer myself? 

Self-referral is available in most circumstances. However, in some instances, we may need further clinical information. We will contact you if this is the case. If needed, we offer a virtual GP consultation service where we can provide you with a referral and a follow-up consultation to discuss results.

Can I refer myself? 

We accept self-referral in most cases. Self-referral allows you to take control of your own health with direct access to our own specialist diagnostic services. We also offer a GP consultation service to provide you with a referral if you need one.

When will I get my results? 

We aim to deliver all results within three working days of your appointment. If you have not heard from us within this timeframe, please contact us. 

How long will my appointment take?

It depends on the scan or screening you choose, but most appointments take less than 90 minutes. We ask you to arrive around 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.  

How do I book an appointment?

For most services you can book online or by phone, and you don’t need a GP referral. Choose your service, your preferred location and a convenient date here.