Almost everyone has felt their heart race, skip or flutter at some point — after too much coffee, a poor night's sleep, or a stressful day. For most people, palpitations are a normal, if unsettling, response to everyday triggers. But occasionally they signal something worth investigating, and that's when a private cardiac check in Preston can give you clear answers without a long NHS wait.
What are palpitations, exactly?
Palpitations are the sensation of your own heartbeat becoming noticeable — faster than usual, irregular, or simply heavier. They can be felt in the chest, throat or neck, and they might last a few seconds or several minutes.
Common, benign causes include:
- Caffeine, alcohol or dehydration
- Stress, anxiety or panic
- Tiredness or overexertion
- Hormonal changes (including perimenopause)
None of these require cardiac investigation on their own, though they're worth managing for general wellbeing.
When palpitations deserve a closer look
You should arrange an assessment — and sooner rather than later — if your palpitations come with any of the following:
- Dizziness or light-headedness during an episode
- Shortness of breath that you wouldn't otherwise expect
- Chest tightness or pain
- Fainting or near-fainting
- A strong family history of heart rhythm problems or sudden cardiac events
You should also seek investigation if palpitations are frequent, seem to be getting more common, or if they're affecting your confidence in daily activities such as driving or exercise.
Reminder: if you experience severe chest pain, collapse or difficulty breathing, call 999 immediately. Cardiac screening is not an emergency service.
What to expect from a cardiac check
The most straightforward first step is an ECG (£100), which records the electrical activity of your heart. It takes around ten minutes and is completely painless.
If your symptoms are intermittent and haven't shown up on a standard ECG, a 24-hour Holter monitor (£225) or 48-hour Holter (£295) is usually the next step. You wear a small recorder through your normal day, and any rhythm disturbance during that period is captured and reviewed.
If results suggest a structural issue — or if there's a relevant family history — an echocardiogram (£295) provides detailed ultrasound images of the heart's chambers and valves. All echocardiograms at Northwest Health are reported by a consultant cardiologist.
Do you need a GP referral first?
No. You can book directly with us, and no referral letter is needed. A Northwest Health GP will review your case before any investigation, which means everything is done properly from the outset. We are CQC-registered and serve patients from across Preston, Lancashire, the Fylde coast and Greater Manchester.
What happens after the test?
Results are reported by a consultant cardiologist and shared securely with you, typically within a few working days. If a finding needs follow-up, your GP will guide next steps — whether that means a further test, a referral to a specialist, or simple reassurance.
For many people, the result is a normal reading and the knowledge that their heart rhythm is fine. That's not a wasted test — it's a useful answer.
Book a cardiac check at Northwest Health →
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