DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How much does a private cardiology consultation cost in the UK?
A private cardiology consultation is often booked for palpitations, chest pain or a family history that has been playing on your mind, without the NHS wait. The consultant's fee covers the appointment and their opinion, and it is separate from the hospital. Most heart consultations come with tests, so an ECG or an echo is commonly added on top of the base fee.
The quick version
- The consultation fee is charged by the cardiologist and rarely includes any heart tests.
- An ECG, an echocardiogram, or a monitor to wear at home are each priced separately.
- Follow-up reviews usually cost less than the initial private consultation.
- Blood tests and further imaging can add to the total, sometimes with separate lab fees.
- You can compare cardiologists on PHIN before booking, including fees and experience.
What people actually paid
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 27% less than the advertised list price for cardiology.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases and from a small sample so far. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £200“I went private with the same consultant otherwise the appointment NHS was next April! The cost was 200 pounds.”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
A cardiology visit rarely stops at conversation, so the tests decide most of the total. A basic consultation costs far less than one that adds an ECG, an echocardiogram, a wearable monitor and blood tests, each charged on its own. The consultant sets their fee by subspecialty and location, while the hospital bills for the room and any tests on site. The national brands such as Spire, Nuffield and Ramsay usually price above independents, and PHIN lets you compare consultants before you commit.
How to pay less
- Ask which tests the consultant expects to run and what they cost, since an ECG or echo is usually extra.
- Check whether the clinic offers a package that bundles the consultation with common tests like an echo.
- Bring any recent NHS results or an ECG so tests are not needlessly repeated.
- Compare an independent cardiology clinic against a big hospital group for the same consultation.
- Confirm the follow-up fee up front, as it is normally lower than the first appointment.
- Use PHIN to weigh a cardiologist's fee against their experience rather than choosing on price alone.
Common questions
Does a cardiology consultation include an ECG or echo?
Usually not. The consultation fee covers the specialist's assessment. An ECG, an echocardiogram or a home monitor are typically separate charges, though some clinics bundle the common ones. Ask which tests are likely and what they cost before you book.
Why do heart consultations often cost more overall than other specialties?
Because they so often involve tests. The consultation itself may be similar to other specialties, but the ECGs, echoes and monitors that frequently go with it push up the total. Understanding which tests you need helps you budget realistically.
Should I go private for palpitations or chest pain?
Ongoing chest pain always needs proper assessment, and if you cannot be seen quickly on the NHS, going private gets you a fast specialist opinion. Sudden or severe chest pain is an emergency. This is general information, not medical advice.