At London Heart Clinic, our specialist cardiologist will speak to you about your concerns, symptoms, family history and medical history. You may also need a physical examination. We may recommend blood tests and other cardiac diagnostic, heart screening or monitoring tests based on your consultation. Collectively, this will help us determine your diagnosis and develop your personalised treatment plan.
Our expert team can do your blood tests at our clinic and guide you through the process. If you have any concerns or questions, we are here to support you.
Before
Before the test, we may give you instructions to help you prepare. This will depend on the types of blood tests you need and can include fasting or adjusting your medication.
During
At first, a tourniquet, a tight band, is tied around your arm to help us see your veins clearly. The skin around your veins may be cleaned with an antiseptic wipe. We will then use a small needle to collect a sample of your blood, usually from one of these veins in your arm. This needle will be connected to a special container or syringe to collect the blood. It usually only takes a few minutes.
The process is quick and usually it is not painful. However, you may feel a sharp scratch when the needle is inserted into your skin.
After
After the test, you will be asked to apply pressure to the area where the needle was inserted with a piece of cottonwool. This is usually only for a few minutes to make sure your vein stops bleeding. If needed, we can cover the area with a plaster. Most people feel well enough to resume their daily activities almost immediately, but some people might need to recover for a bit longer.
Your results may be ready on the same day, or they may take a few days depending on the test.
