Cardiac Symptom

Breathlessness Assessment

Breathlessness on exertion or at rest can have many causes. Dr Kamal Khan offers thorough cardiac investigation — including heart failure screening and exercise stress testing — to determine whether your heart is contributing to your symptoms.

Heart failure screening available
Heart Failure Screening
Exercise Stress Testing
Functional Assessment
No GP Referral Needed
Not an emergency service. If you have sudden, severe breathlessness, breathlessness with chest pain, or are struggling to breathe, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
About Breathlessness

Understanding breathlessness

Breathlessness — whether on exertion, at rest, or when lying flat — is a common symptom with many possible causes, including heart conditions, lung disease, anaemia, deconditioning, or anxiety. Because the heart and lungs work so closely together, distinguishing between causes often requires specialist assessment.

Dr Kamal Khan carries out a thorough cardiac work-up to determine whether your heart is contributing to your breathlessness, and to what degree — giving you clarity and an appropriate management plan.

What we assess

Possible cardiac causes

Heart failure — where the heart doesn't pump or fill as efficiently as it should
Valve disease — narrowing or leaking of the heart valves affecting blood flow
Coronary artery disease — reduced blood supply to the heart muscle on exertion
Arrhythmia — an irregular rhythm reducing the heart's efficiency
Deconditioning or non-cardiac causes — which Dr Khan can help identify alongside cardiac assessment
Your assessment

What your assessment involves

First step
History, examination and resting ECG
Imaging
Echocardiogram to assess heart function
Functional testing
Exercise stress test where appropriate
Referral needed
No GP referral required for private assessment
Your visit

What happens at your appointment

Dr Khan will take a detailed history — including when your breathlessness occurs, how far you can walk, and any associated symptoms — alongside a physical examination and ECG.

An echocardiogram is often used to assess how well your heart is pumping and filling, and exercise stress testing may be arranged to evaluate your functional capacity under exertion. Dr Khan will explain the findings clearly and agree a management plan with you.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Is this an emergency service for breathlessness?
No. If you have sudden, severe breathlessness, breathlessness with chest pain, or are struggling to breathe, call 999 or go to A&E immediately. This clinic is for assessment of ongoing or exertional breathlessness.
Is breathlessness always caused by the heart?
No. Breathlessness can also be caused by lung conditions, anaemia, deconditioning, or anxiety. Dr Khan's assessment helps determine whether your heart is contributing to your symptoms.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. Self-funded and insured patients can book a private consultation with Dr Khan directly, without a GP referral.
What does a heart failure screen involve?
A heart failure screen typically includes a clinical assessment, ECG, echocardiogram and sometimes a blood test (BNP) to assess how well your heart is pumping and filling.
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At a Glance
Heart failure screening
Exercise stress testing
3 private hospital locations
No GP referral required
Self-funded & insured patients welcome
Accepted Insurers
BUPA
AXA Health
Aviva
Vitality Health
Cigna
WPA
Allianz
Simply Health
Healix
Related Services
Chest Pain Palpitations & Arrhythmia Echocardiography Cardiovascular Risk
Private Clinic Locations
The Alexandra HospitalCheadle, Cheshire Spire Manchester HospitalDidsbury, Manchester HCA Healthcare WilmslowWilmslow, Cheshire
Book an appointment

Get your breathlessness assessed

Self-funded and insured patients welcome. No GP referral required.

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