# The Hampshire Cardiologist > Private cardiology consultations with Dr Mark Cassar at Candover Clinic and The Hampshire Clinic in Basingstoke, welcoming patients from Winchester and across Hampshire. Dr Cassar is a consultant cardiologist with particular expertise in heart valve disease and advanced cardiac imaging. He holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford, is accredited in echocardiography, cardiac CT and cardiac MRI, and has authored or co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications. He is a British Society of Echocardiography examiner and a member of the British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging Executive Committee. Consultations cover symptoms including chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness, heart murmurs, dizziness and blackouts, alongside assessment of established heart conditions, blood pressure and cholesterol. Investigations are selected according to the clinical question. ## Practice and appointments - [Private Cardiologist in Basingstoke and Hampshire | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/): Private cardiology assessment with Dr Mark Cassar at two Basingstoke clinics, welcoming patients from Winchester and across Hampshire. - [About Dr Mark Cassar | Consultant Cardiologist Hampshire](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/about-dr-cassar/): Dr Mark Cassar is a consultant cardiologist in Basingstoke, welcoming patients from Winchester and across Hampshire, with specialist expertise in echocardiography, cardiac CT and cardiac MRI. - [Private Cardiology Appointments in Basingstoke | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/cardiology-appointments/): Arrange a private cardiology consultation with Dr Mark Cassar at Candover Clinic or The Hampshire Clinic in Basingstoke. Telephone and clinic contact options. - [Private Cardiology Services in Basingstoke | Dr Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/private-cardiology-services-basingstoke/): Consultant-led cardiology at two Basingstoke clinics for patients across Hampshire, including Winchester. Tests are chosen to answer a clinical question, not sold as a fixed package. - [Private Cardiology Appointment: What To Expect](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/private-cardiologist-first-appointment/): What happens at a private cardiology appointment: history, examination, ECG where appropriate, and how further heart tests are chosen. ## Symptoms - [Private Breathlessness Assessment In Hampshire](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/breathlessness-assessment-hampshire/): Breathlessness put down to age or fitness is sometimes the heart. Private assessment in Basingstoke for patients from Winchester and across Hampshire, before it is assumed away. - [Private Chest Pain Assessment In Hampshire | Cardiologist](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/chest-pain-assessment-hampshire/): Assessment of stable, recurrent chest pain with Dr Mark Cassar in Basingstoke, for patients across Hampshire. Not an emergency service. - [Private Dizziness And Blackouts Assessment In Hampshire](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/dizziness-blackouts-assessment-hampshire/): Recurrent dizziness or blackouts? Some causes are harmless, a few are not, and the history tells them apart. Assessment in Basingstoke for patients from Winchester and across Hampshire. - [Private Heart Murmur Assessment In Hampshire | Dr Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/heart-murmur-assessment-hampshire/): Many murmurs are innocent. A few signal valve disease that needs watching. Private assessment in Basingstoke for patients from Winchester and across Hampshire to find out which yours is. - [Private Palpitations Assessment In Hampshire](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/palpitations-assessment-hampshire/): Most palpitations are benign, but the pattern decides which need rhythm monitoring. Private assessment in Basingstoke for patients from Winchester and across Hampshire with Dr Mark Cassar. ## Heart conditions - [Atrial Fibrillation: Symptoms, Stroke Risk And Treatment](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/atrial-fibrillation/): Atrial fibrillation may cause palpitations, breathlessness or fatigue. Learn how AF is diagnosed with ECG monitoring and how stroke risk is assessed. - [Coronary Heart Disease: Symptoms, Tests And Treatment | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/coronary-artery-disease/): Chest pain is not the only sign of coronary heart disease. A normal ECG does not exclude it. Assessment in Basingstoke can help clarify whether coronary disease is present. - [Is Heart Failure Reversible? Symptoms and Tests | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/heart-failure/): Heart failure is often missed when breathlessness is put down to age. The tests that pick it up early, and why treatment now changes the outlook. - [High Cholesterol: What Your Numbers Actually Mean | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/high-cholesterol/): A cholesterol number alone does not decide treatment. What tips the decision, from family history to hidden risk. Assessment in Basingstoke for patients across Hampshire. - [High Blood Pressure: When Readings Matter And When They Mislead | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/hypertension/): Clinic blood pressure readings often mislead in both directions. Ambulatory monitoring settles it. Hypertension assessment in Basingstoke for patients across Hampshire. - [Heart Valve Disease: Symptoms and Treatment Timing | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/valvular-heart-disease/): Heart valve disease can stay silent until treatment timing matters. Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options and follow-up in Basingstoke. ## Investigations - [ECG Test: What It Shows | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/ecg-electrocardiogram/): A resting ECG records the heart's rate, rhythm and conduction in minutes. What it shows, how it is done and what a normal result does not exclude. - [Holter and ECG Monitoring | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/holter-ecg-monitoring/): A Holter or ambulatory ECG records heart rhythm for a day or longer to catch symptoms that come and go. What it involves and what a recording can miss. - [24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/24-hour-blood-pressure-monitoring/): 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) records readings through the day and night. How it works, what it shows and how it helps confirm hypertension. - [Cholesterol Test (Lipid Profile) | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/cholesterol-testing/): A cholesterol test measures LDL, HDL, non-HDL and triglycerides. What the results show, whether you need to fast and what they cannot tell you. - [Private Echocardiogram In Hampshire | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/transthoracic-echocardiogram/): A private echocardiogram in Hampshire, commonly called an echo, to assess heart valves, chambers and pumping function, performed by Dr Mark Cassar. - [Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/dobutamine-stress-echocardiography/): Dobutamine stress echocardiography: A monitored ultrasound assessment of how the heart works under controlled medication stress. - [Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TOE)](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/transoesophageal-echocardiography/): Transoesophageal echocardiography: A detailed ultrasound examination used when a specific question cannot be answered fully by a standard echocardiogram. - [Cardiac CT And CT Coronary Angiography](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/cardiac-ct-coronary-angiography/): Cardiac CT uses X-rays to assess the heart and coronary arteries. CT coronary angiography can show plaque and narrowing when clinically appropriate. - [Cardiac MRI (CMR) Scan: What It Shows | Dr Mark Cassar](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/cardiac-mri-guide/): A cardiac MRI (CMR) scan shows the heart muscle, chambers and blood flow in detail, without X-ray radiation. What it shows, what happens and when it helps. ## Heart health articles - [Heart Health Blog | The Hampshire Cardiologist](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/heart-health-blog/): Practical heart health articles from Dr Mark Cassar on symptoms, scans, cholesterol, blood pressure, diet and cardiology appointments. - [Palpitations, Normal ECG: What Happens Next?](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/palpitations-normal-ecg/): Your ECG was normal, but the palpitations keep coming back. Find out what that result can tell you and when a longer recording may help. - [Aortic Stenosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/aortic-stenosis-symptoms-treatment/): Aortic stenosis narrows the heart's aortic valve. Learn about symptoms, echocardiography, monitoring and treatment with SAVR or TAVI. - [Heart Attack Or Heartburn? When Chest Pain Needs Urgent Help](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/heart-attack-or-heartburn/): Heart attack and heartburn can feel alike, including burning chest pain. Learn why suspected heart attack always needs 999, not self-diagnosis. - [AF Heart Rate: When Is It Too Fast Or Too Slow?](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/atrial-fibrillation-heart-rate/): Atrial fibrillation can produce a fast, slow or variable pulse. Learn why the number alone is not enough and when symptoms need urgent assessment. - [Can I Exercise With A Leaking Heart Valve?](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/exercise-with-leaking-heart-valve/): Can you exercise with a leaking heart valve? Valve type, severity, symptoms and echocardiogram findings all affect what is safe. - [Lp(a), ApoB And The Extra Cholesterol Tests That Matter](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/lpa-apob-cholesterol-blood-tests/): What Lp(a), ApoB and advanced cholesterol tests show, who may benefit from them, and when standard cholesterol testing is usually enough. - [Amiodarone Side Effects And Monitoring Explained](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/amiodarone-side-effects-monitoring/): Taking amiodarone for an abnormal heart rhythm? Learn which side effects matter, what monitoring is needed and when to seek medical advice. - [Ejection Fraction: Normal Range and What the Numbers Mean](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/ejection-fraction-heart-scan-result/): What is a normal ejection fraction? What 35%, 40%, 50% and 55% broadly mean, whether a low result is dangerous, and why two scans can differ. - [Statins: What Patients Ask About Safety And Side Effects](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/statins-what-patients-ask/): Most statin questions come down to three worries. A cardiologist on which side effects are real, which are misattributed, and who genuinely needs one. - [Mediterranean Diet And Heart Health: Practical Guide](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/mediterranean-diet-heart-health/): Most UK versions of the Mediterranean diet miss what actually protects the heart. A cardiologist on the parts that matter and the swaps that don't. - [Ultra-processed Foods And Heart Health: Practical Guide](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/are-ultra-processed-foods-bad-for-your-heart/): Not all ultra-processed foods carry the same cardiac risk. A cardiologist on which ones matter, which don't, and why perfection backfires. - [Chest Pain: When To See A Cardiologist Or Call 999](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/chest-pain-cardiologist/): Some chest pain patterns need 999. Others get dismissed too early after a normal ECG. A cardiologist on telling them apart before assuming either. - [Echo, Cardiac CT Or Cardiac MRI: Which Scan Do You Need?](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/heart-scans-compared/): Echo, cardiac CT and cardiac MRI answer different questions, and the wrong one first wastes time and money. How a cardiologist chooses between them. - [Heart Valve Disease: Why Timing Matters](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/heart-valve-disease-treatment-timing/): With heart valve disease, waiting for symptoms can mean waiting too long. Why timing matters and the echo findings that change the plan. - [Ectopic Beats: Why Your Heart Skips a Beat](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/ectopic-beats-skipped-heartbeat/): Feel a thud, flutter or skipped beat? Learn what ectopic beats are, why they happen, and when to seek a heart assessment. - [PoTS: Fast Heart Rate on Standing Explained](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/pots-fast-heart-rate-standing/): Understand postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), its upright symptoms, how it is assessed, and when fast heart rate or dizziness need clinical review. ## Website information - [Medical Information Disclaimer - Thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/medical-information-disclaimer/): How to use the general health information published on this website - [Dr Cassar's Privacy Notice: Your Data Matters](https://thehampshirecardiologist.co.uk/privacy-notice/): Learn about Dr Cassar's commitment to your privacy. Our Privacy Notice outlines how we protect your personal data. ## Independent professional profiles - [Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust](https://www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk/our-services/z-consultants-1/cassar-mark-philip-dr): NHS consultant profile for Dr Mark Philip Cassar. - [Candover Clinic](https://www.candoverclinic.com/consultant/dr-mark-philip-cassar/): Consultant profile at Candover Clinic in Basingstoke. - [The Hampshire Clinic, Circle Health Group](https://circlehealthgroup.co.uk/consultants/mark-cassar): Consultant profile with Circle Health Group. - [Bupa Finder](https://finder.bupa.co.uk/Consultant/view/341330/dr_mark_p_cassar): Professional directory profile for Dr Mark P Cassar. - [Doctify](https://www.doctify.com/uk/specialist/mark-philip-cassar): Patient reviews and professional profile for Mark Philip Cassar. - [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7192-6917): Researcher identifier for Mark Philip Cassar. - [ResearchGate](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark-Philip-Cassar-3): Research profile for Mark Philip Cassar. - [ESC 365](https://esc365.escardio.org/person/308159): European Society of Cardiology professional profile.