If you are currently experiencing severe, new or worsening chest pain, seek emergency care immediately by calling 000 or attending your nearest emergency department. This page relates to non-emergency, specialist-referred assessment of chest pain, not emergency care.
Chest pain can arise from many causes, and not all of them relate to the heart. Because cardiac causes can be serious, a structured specialist assessment helps identify or exclude a cardiac origin and directs you toward the right next steps.
Assessment typically begins with a detailed clinical history and examination. Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, your cardiologist may arrange an ECG, echocardiogram, exercise stress test or cardiac CT to investigate further.
Once a cause has been identified or excluded, your cardiologist will explain the findings clearly and discuss any further management or monitoring required, in coordination with your GP.
This service is for patients referred by their GP for assessment of non emergency, ongoing, or intermittent chest pain. It is not a substitute for emergency care if you are currently experiencing severe or new chest pain.
New, severe or concerning chest pain should be assessed urgently, including via emergency services if needed. A specialist chest pain assessment is generally for non emergency, ongoing or intermittent symptoms your GP has referred for further investigation.
An emergency department visit rules out immediate, life threatening causes. Ongoing or recurring chest pain can still benefit from further specialist assessment to investigate other possible causes, such as underlying coronary artery disease, which is a common reason for a GP referral after an emergency visit.
This depends on your symptoms and risk factors, and may include ECG, echocardiography, exercise stress testing or cardiac CT.
Yes, a referral from your GP is required for a chest pain assessment at BK Heart.
If your GP has recommended a cardiology referral, ask them to send it directly to BK Heart.
