Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart muscle. Often caused by a genetic mutation, it can run in families and affect one or many members, at any age.
At our clinic, there are tests we do to help us diagnose and treat your condition. You may have some or all these tests.
Blood tests
We do routine blood tests to check your general health. We also do specific blood tests that relate to your heart health and also genetic blood tests.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
This is a recording of your heart’s electrical activity. It tells us if there are any problems with your heart’s rhythm. You lie down on a bed and we place electrodes (small sticky pads) on your chest. Leads from the electrodes then connect to the ECG machine.
The test does not hurt and only takes five minutes.
Echocardiogram (echo)
This is an ultrasound scan that shows the structure of your heart, and how well blood is pumping around your body.
Find out more about echocardiograms.
Cardiopulmonary exercise test (MVO2)
This checks how the heart muscle is working by measuring the amount of oxygen used during exercise. It helps when studying problems such as breathlessness and fatigue/tiredness.
Find out more about the cardiopulmonary exercise test.
Cardiac magnetic resonance scan (CMR)
A CMR scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of your heart. It gives us information about the structure of your heart and blood vessels, and how well they are working. It does not use radiation.
You must not eat or drink anything containing caffeine for two hours before this test. You can find caffeine in tea, coffee, some soft drinks, chocolate and nuts and this can affect your heart rate.
Find out more about CMR scans.
24 or 48 hour ECG monitor (holter)
This is a 24 or 28-hour recording of your heart’s electrical activity, which is painless. We place electrodes on your chest and connect to a small, portable monitor which you wear at home overnight.
There are currently no related conditions associated with this test.
About the cardiomyopathy team
The cardiomyopathy team at the Trust is made up of consultants and specialist nurses.
Consultants
- Dr Antonis Pantazis, consultant cardiologist
- Dr Sanjay Prasad, consultant in heart failure and imaging
- Professor Piers Daubeney, consultant in paediatric cardiology with a special interest in cardiomyopathy
- Dr John Baksi, consultant cardiologist
- Dr Sanjay Kumar Kohli, consultant cardiologist
- Dr Alex Lyon, consultant cardiologist
- Mr Olivier Ghez, consultant paediatric and congenital surgeon
- Dr Maria Kinali, honorary consultant paediatric neurologist
- Dr Leonie Wong, paediatric electrophysiology consultant
Specialist nurses at Royal Brompton Hospital
- Catherine Renwick, lead nurse for cardiomyopathy, aortopathy and channelopathy
- Bethan Cowley, adult ICC clinical nurse specialist
- Fortunate Rusike, adult ICC clinical nurse specialist
- Charlene Casey, paediatric clinical nurse specialist
- Lucy Green, paediatric clinical nurse specialist
- Emma Ashby, ICC nurse
- Louise Parker, ICC nurse
- Rachel Mackay, adult ICC clinical nurse specialist (on maternity leave)
- Suad Warsama, adult ICC clinical nurse specialist (on maternity leave)
Specialist nurses at Harefield Hospital
- Alison Pottle, nurse consultant in cardiology
- Julie Bellchambers, clinical nurse specialist
- Fiona Eggenton, clinical nurse specialist
Contact us
Royal Brompton Hospital
Appointments
If you have any queries regarding your appointment date, please call
Phone: 020 7352 8121 extension 2919
Clinical nurse specialists
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact the ICC clinical nurse specialists. If we can't take your call, please leave a message and a nurse specialist will call you back.
Phone: 020 7352 8121 extension 2205 or 8823
Harefield Hospital
If your appointment is at Harefield Hospital, please contact the clinical nurse specialists.
Phone: 01895 828 729
Further information and resources
Cardiomyopathy UK
Cardiomyopathy UK offers information and support for families with cardiomyopathy
Website: www.cardiomyopathy.org
Cardiac Risk in the Young
Cardiac Risk in the Young (also known as CRY) supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by young sudden cardiac death.
Website: www.c-r-y.org.uk
British Heart Foundation
British Heart Foundation supports people suffering from heart conditions
Website: www.bhf.org.uk
Heart Research UK
Heart Research UK offers information and advice for young people growing up with a heart condition.
Website: www.heartresearch.org.uk
Children's Heart Federation
Children's Heart Federation is a charity dedicated to helping children with congenital or acquired heart disease and their families.
Website: www.chfed.org.uk