Private Cardiology Services in Hampshire

Dr Mark Cassar provides comprehensive cardiology services for patients across Hampshire, including Basingstoke, Winchester, and surrounding areas. As a Consultant Cardiologist with expertise in all aspects of cardiac care and advanced diagnostic imaging, Dr Cassar offers personalized assessment and treatment for a wide range of heart conditions.

Cardiac Consultation Services

Initial Cardiac Assessment

A detailed cardiac consultation is the foundation of excellent heart care. During your first appointment, Dr Cassar will:

  • Take a comprehensive medical history
  • Discuss your symptoms, concerns, and risk factors
  • Perform a thorough cardiovascular examination
  • Review any previous investigations or test results
  • Order appropriate diagnostic tests if needed
  • Provide a clear explanation of findings
  • Discuss treatment options and next steps

Appointments typically last 30-45 minutes, allowing adequate time for thorough assessment and discussion of your concerns.

Follow-up Consultations

For ongoing cardiac conditions, follow-up appointments allow Dr Cassar to:

  • Monitor your cardiac condition over time
  • Review test results and imaging studies
  • Adjust medications or treatment plans
  • Assess response to therapy
  • Provide continued support and guidance
  • Answer questions about your heart health

Conditions Dr Cassar treats

Chest Pain

Chest pain can have many causes, and expert assessment is crucial. Dr Cassar provides comprehensive evaluation of:

  • Angina (cardiac chest pain)
  • Atypical chest pain
  • Chest pain after exertion
  • Chest tightness or pressure
  • Non-cardiac chest pain
  • Cardiovascular risk assessment

He will determine whether your chest pain is cardiac in origin and recommend appropriate treatment or further investigation.

Hypertension

High blood pressure is a major cardiovascular risk factor. Dr Cassar provides:

  • Blood pressure assessment and diagnosis
  • Investigation for secondary causes
  • Medication optimization
  • Resistant hypertension management
  • Cardiovascular risk stratification
  • Lifestyle modification guidance
  • Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring interpretation

Palpitations

Palpitations (awareness of your heartbeat) can be concerning. Dr Cassar evaluates:

  • Fast heart rhythms (tachycardia)
  • Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
  • Skipped beats or extra beats
  • Atrial fibrillation assessment
  • Supraventricular tachycardia
  • Ventricular ectopic beats

He will arrange appropriate monitoring (ECG, Holter monitor, or event recorder) and provide guidance on management.

Shortness of Breath

Breathlessness can indicate cardiac problems. Dr Cassar assesses:

  • Exertional breathlessness
  • Breathlessness at rest
  • Breathlessness when lying flat (orthopnea)
  • Waking at night short of breath
  • Heart failure symptoms
  • Valve disease causing breathlessness

Comprehensive evaluation including imaging and exercise testing can determine the cardiac contribution to your symptoms.

Heart Valve Disease

Dr Cassar is a recognized expert in valvular heart disease, providing assessment and management of:

  • Aortic stenosis (narrowed aortic valve)
  • Aortic regurgitation (leaky aortic valve)
  • Mitral regurgitation (leaky mitral valve)
  • Mitral stenosis (narrowed mitral valve)
  • Tricuspid regurgitation
  • Heart murmur investigation
  • Valve disease surveillance
  • Pre-procedural valve assessment

His advanced imaging expertise ensures accurate assessment of valve severity and optimal timing for intervention when needed.

Heart Failure

Heart failure requires specialist assessment and management. Services include:

  • Heart failure diagnosis
  • Assessment of heart function
  • Identification of underlying causes
  • Medication optimization
  • Monitoring and follow-up
  • Breathlessness investigation
  • Fluid retention management

Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Prevention is better than cure. Dr Cassar offers:

  • Comprehensive cardiovascular risk evaluation
  • High cholesterol management
  • Family history assessment
  • Lifestyle modification advice
  • Primary prevention strategies
  • Risk calculator assessment
  • Screening for asymptomatic heart disease

Fatigue and Exercise Intolerance

Cardiac causes of fatigue require expert evaluation:

  • Reduced exercise capacity assessment
  • Cardiac limitation evaluation
  • Heart function assessment
  • Valve disease screening
  • Coronary artery disease evaluation

Dr Cassar's Diagnostic Services

Dr Cassar holds the highest level certifications in all three major cardiac imaging modalities, offering expert interpretation and comprehensive reports.

ECG

An Electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of your heart. It’s a quick and painless test to check for heart rhythm issues.

Holter Monitor

The Holter monitor is a portable device that tracks your heart’s activity over 24 hours, providing insights into your heart rhythm throughout daily activities.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. This test assesses the size, shape, and function of your heart.

Stress Echocardiogram

During an echocardiogram, a medication is administered to encourage the heart to beat faster; this allows Dr Cassar to determine if there are problematic narrowings in your coronary arteries.

Cardiac CT

A cardiac CT allows Dr Cassar to look into the coronary arteries, which supply blood to your heart. This is a non-invasive way to check for cholesterol buildups which may cause chest pain and heart attacks.

Cardiac MRI

A cardiac MRI uses magnets to produce images and videos of your heart beating. This can often provide more information than an echocardiogram in certain conditions.

Transoesophageal Echo

This test utilizes a specialized camera inserted through the gullet to capture precise images of the heart. This approach is highly effective for diagnosing and managing valve issues.

Bubble Echocardiogram

During an echocardiogram, saline is administered to look for specific holes in the heart. This test is also useful to look for abnormal blood vessels in the lungs.

Contrast Echocardiogram

During an echocardiogram, a special contrast that reflects sound waves is administered. This allows Dr Cassar to assess the heart in more detail.

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