Private echocardiogram Northampton. Heart ultrasound scan Northamptonshire using hospital-grade Philips EPIQ systems at Northampton General Hospital.
An echocardiogram (echo) is a non-invasive ultrasound scan of the heart. It uses sound waves to create detailed images of your heart's structure and function, allowing clinicians to assess:
Echocardiography is one of the most important diagnostic tools in cardiology, providing real-time, detailed information about heart health without radiation or invasive procedures.
All Nene Valley Diagnostics echocardiograms are performed inside Northampton General Hospital, not in community rooms, mobile units, or portable setups. This hospital-based approach offers significant advantages:
Unlike community-based or mobile scanning services, our hospital-based approach ensures your cardiac assessment is performed in the optimal clinical setting, with immediate access to specialist care if required.
At Nene Valley Diagnostics, every echocardiogram is performed using Philips EPIQ echocardiography systems – hospital-grade equipment used in major cardiac centres across the UK.
All our echocardiograms include 3D/4D images – we are the only local provider offering this service as standard. This advanced imaging capability provides comprehensive assessment that portable machines cannot match.
These advanced systems provide:
When choosing an echocardiogram, it's important to understand that equipment quality directly impacts diagnostic accuracy. Portable and handheld echocardiography machines have inherent technical limitations compared to hospital-grade systems.
Don't let your health depend on a portable machine. These devices typically cannot provide 3D/4D imaging, and image definition may not be sufficient for accurate diagnosis of subtle cardiac abnormalities.
At Nene Valley Diagnostics, we use Philips EPIQ systems – hospital-grade equipment that ensures the highest standard of cardiac imaging with superior resolution and comprehensive diagnostic capabilities.
Hospital-grade with 3D/4D imaging
Adults can book their own echocardiograms directly with Nene Valley Diagnostics without requiring a GP referral. This self-referral approach offers:
While a GP referral is not required, we can share your report with your GP or consultant with your consent, ensuring continuity of care and integration with your existing healthcare.
Echocardiograms may be recommended or requested for various reasons. Common indications include:
Unexplained shortness of breath, especially on exertion, may indicate heart function issues that an echo can help diagnose.
Detection of unusual heart sounds (murmurs) may require echocardiography to assess valve function and heart structure.
Irregular heartbeats or awareness of your heartbeat may warrant an echo to check for structural causes.
If you have a family history of heart conditions, an echo can help assess your cardiac health and identify any inherited issues.
Private echo scans can provide second opinions, follow-up assessments, or more detailed imaging than previously available.
Some surgical procedures may require cardiac assessment to ensure fitness for surgery.
Flexible appointment times: We offer early appointments from 7AM up to late appointments up to 8PM, including weekends, to fit around your busy schedule.
No special preparation is usually needed. You can eat and drink normally. Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to your chest area.
You'll lie on a bed while our clinical scientist applies gel to your chest and uses a transducer to obtain images. The scan typically takes 25-45 minutes and is painless.
The gel is wiped off and you can return to normal activities immediately. Your images are reviewed and a detailed report is prepared.
Your report is shared with you and, with your consent, your GP or consultant. Any urgent findings are escalated immediately via hospital pathways.
Nene Valley Diagnostics works with named consultant cardiologists who are recognised by major UK insurers. Insured patients may have echocardiograms performed at Nene Valley Diagnostics when referred by these partner consultants.
Important: Nene Valley Diagnostics is not a general insurance clinic. Insured access is available only via our partner consultant cardiologists. Standard access is through self-referral.
If you have private health insurance and wish to use it, please discuss with your consultant cardiologist whether they can refer you to Nene Valley Diagnostics for your echocardiogram.
Nene Valley Diagnostics provides private echocardiogram Northampton and heart ultrasound scan Northamptonshire services for patients from across the county. Our echo test Kettering and Corby area patients can easily access our hospital-based service at Northampton General Hospital.
We serve patients from Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Daventry, Rushden, Brackley, Towcester, Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, Burton Latimer, Desborough, Rothwell, Raunds, Thrapston, Oundle, Wootton, Brixworth, Moulton, and surrounding villages.
All echocardiograms are performed inside Northampton General Hospital using Philips EPIQ systems, ensuring the highest quality cardiac imaging for patients throughout Northamptonshire.