Cardiovascular Assessment

A comprehensive cardiovascular screening programme that builds on the general medical assessment with advanced cardiac imaging including Doppler echocardiogram, supra-aortic trunk Doppler with intima-media thickness measurement, coronary calcium scoring via CT, ankle-brachial index testing, and a cardiologist consultation with exercise and dietary recommendations.

The Cardiovascular Assessment extends the General Medical Assessment with a suite of targeted cardiac investigations designed to detect subclinical cardiovascular disease before symptoms emerge. It is structured for adults over 40 who may have risk factors such as family history, sedentary lifestyle, smoking history, or elevated lipid levels. The programme includes all the laboratory work and functional tests from the general assessment, supplemented by urinalysis with microalbuminuria screening — an early marker of vascular damage to the kidneys. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) test assesses peripheral arterial circulation, while Doppler ultrasound of the supra-aortic trunks evaluates blood flow to the brain and measures intima-media thickness, a validated surrogate marker for systemic atherosclerosis. Doppler echocardiography provides a real-time assessment of cardiac structure and function, including valve integrity, chamber dimensions, and ejection fraction. An abdominal aorta ultrasound screens for aneurysm. The centrepiece of the cardiovascular add-on is the coronary calcium score via non-contrast CT scan, available to men aged 45 and over and women aged 50 and over, repeated at three-year intervals. The Agatston score quantifies calcified plaque in the coronary arteries and is a well-established independent predictor of future cardiac events. A dedicated cardiologist consultation integrates all findings into a stratified risk profile with specific recommendations for exercise, diet, and any further investigation or monitoring.