Paediatric Cardiologist in Sutton Coldfield
Consultant paediatric cardiologist for children and young athletes — heart murmurs, palpitations, syncope, chest pain, and sports cardiac pre-participation screening. ECG, echocardiogram and 24-hour Holter available. From £290, no GP referral required.
A heart symptom in a child is rarely serious — but it always deserves expert assessment. At The Vesey, Dr Tristan Ramcharan provides a full paediatric cardiology service: clinical assessment, ECG, echocardiogram, and Holter monitoring, all interpreted to RCPCH and British Congenital Cardiac Association standards. Most parents leave with a clear answer and peace of mind the same day.
Conditions we assess
- Innocent (functional) murmur assessment
- Pathological murmur investigation
- ASD & VSD assessment
- Valvular abnormalities
- Echocardiogram where indicated
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- Ectopic beats
- 24-hour Holter monitoring
- Event recorder where indicated
- Vasovagal syncope
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia (PoTS)
- Cardiac arrhythmia exclusion
- Long QT syndrome screening
- Exertional syncope assessment
- Exertional vs non-exertional differentiation
- Musculoskeletal exclusion
- Pericarditis & myocarditis assessment
- ECG and echo as indicated
- Pre-participation cardiac ECG
- Echocardiogram for elite athletes
- HCM family screening
- Academy and club screening packages
- Repaired CHD ongoing review
- Transition from paediatric to adult services
- Bicuspid aortic valve monitoring
- Pulmonary stenosis follow-up
Procedures & transparent pricing
| Procedure | What's included | From |
|---|---|---|
| New paediatric cardiology consultation | 45 mins · full history, examination, plan | £280 |
| Follow-up consultation | 30 mins · same consultant | £200 |
| Paediatric ECG | 12-lead ECG with consultant interpretation | £120 |
| Paediatric echocardiogram | Ultrasound of heart · detailed structural report | £250 |
| 24-hour Holter monitor | Ambulatory ECG · fit, data analysis & report | £250 |
Prices accurate as of July 2026. ECG is often performed within the consultation visit. All prices confirmed before any procedure begins.
What to expect
Brief pre-appointment questions about your child's symptoms, history and any prior investigations.
Resting 12-lead ECG recorded within minutes of check-in.
Full cardiac examination, history, and discussion. Echocardiogram performed same visit where indicated.
Written summary for parents. Letter to GP within 48 hours. Holter monitor or further investigation arranged if needed.
Deep-dive: innocent vs pathological murmurs in children
A heart murmur is a sound heard through a stethoscope caused by turbulent blood flow. In children, the majority of murmurs detected at routine checks are innocent (functional) murmurs — entirely normal and requiring no treatment or restriction. However, a minority are pathological and require investigation.
Features of an innocent murmur
- Soft systolic murmur (grades 1–2/6)
- Heard at the left sternal border or pulmonary area
- No radiation, no thrill, no diastolic component
- Changes with position (often louder lying down, softer sitting)
- Normal heart sounds — no added S3/S4, no ejection click
- Child is asymptomatic, growing and developing normally
Features suggesting a pathological murmur
- Diastolic murmur (almost always pathological)
- Loud murmur (grade 3/6 or above), with or without palpable thrill
- Pansystolic or continuous murmur
- Harsh quality, radiation to axilla or back
- Associated symptoms: cyanosis, poor feeding in infants, exercise intolerance, syncope
- Abnormal ECG or reduced oxygen saturation
When is echocardiogram needed?
If Dr Ramcharan identifies any features suggesting a pathological murmur, an echocardiogram is arranged — at The Vesey, often at the same visit. Echo provides definitive structural information and, in the majority of cases, confirms the murmur is innocent. Common findings requiring follow-up include small atrial septal defects (ASD), ventricular septal defects (VSD), bicuspid aortic valve, and mild pulmonary stenosis.
Deep-dive: cardiac pre-participation screening in young athletes
Sudden cardiac death in young athletes, though rare (estimated 1–2 per 100,000 athlete-years), is a devastating event that is often preventable with appropriate screening. The British Heart Rhythm Society and European Society of Cardiology both support cardiac screening for competitive young athletes.
Who should be screened?
- Young athletes entering elite or academy sport pathways (football, rugby, swimming, athletics)
- Athletes with symptoms: exertional chest pain, unexplained syncope, excessive breathlessness, or palpitations during exercise
- Athletes with a first-degree family history of sudden cardiac death under age 50
- Athletes with a known or suspected genetic cardiac condition (HCM, ARVC, Long QT, Brugada)
ECG interpretation using international criteria
Athlete ECGs are interpreted using the International Criteria for ECG Interpretation in Athletes (2017 consensus). These criteria distinguish normal athletic adaptation — sinus bradycardia, early repolarisation, incomplete RBBB — from abnormal findings requiring further investigation, such as Brugada pattern, prolonged QTc >470 ms (female) / >460 ms (male), T-wave inversions in V1–V4, and pre-excitation (delta waves).
When does a young athlete need an echocardiogram?
Athletes with an abnormal ECG, symptoms, a positive family history, or a murmur detected at screening proceed to echocardiogram. Echo can identify hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — the commonest cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes — as well as other structural pathology including dilated cardiomyopathy and aortic root dilatation. Most athletes with a normal ECG and no symptoms or family history do not require echo.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private paediatric cardiologist cost in Sutton Coldfield?
A new consultation with Dr Ramcharan is £280. Follow-ups £200. Paediatric ECG £120. Paediatric echocardiogram £250. 24-hour Holter £290.
My child has a heart murmur — do I need to worry?
The majority of childhood murmurs are innocent (functional) and require no treatment. A consultant paediatric cardiologist can determine from clinical features — and echocardiogram where needed — whether a murmur is innocent or pathological. Most children leave with reassurance.
Does my child need an ECG before playing sport?
Cardiac pre-participation screening, including ECG, is recommended for young competitive athletes, particularly those with symptoms, a family history of sudden cardiac death, or who are entering elite sport pathways such as football academies.
How quickly can my child be seen?
Most new patients are seen within 5–10 days. Urgent referrals with significant symptoms are prioritised and usually seen within 48–72 hours.
My child has palpitations — should I be concerned?
Palpitations in children are usually benign but should always be assessed by a paediatric cardiologist. An ECG and 24-hour Holter monitor will identify the rhythm and determine if treatment is needed.
What causes syncope (fainting) in children?
The most common cause is vasovagal syncope — benign reflex fainting, often triggered by standing, heat or anxiety. However, cardiac causes including arrhythmia and structural heart disease must be excluded, particularly when syncope occurs during exercise.
My child complains of chest pain — is this cardiac?
The vast majority of chest pain in children is musculoskeletal or gastrointestinal, not cardiac. However, exertional chest pain, pain associated with palpitations or syncope, or a family history of cardiac disease warrants full paediatric cardiology assessment.
What does a paediatric echocardiogram involve?
An echo is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It is painless, uses no radiation, and takes 20–30 minutes. It provides detailed images of the heart's structure and function and is the definitive test for structural heart disease and murmur characterisation.
Does insurance cover paediatric cardiology?
Yes — Bupa, Vitality, AXA Health, Aviva, WPA and Healix routinely cover paediatric cardiology. Pre-authorisation is generally required for echocardiogram and Holter monitoring.
What is the advantage of private over NHS paediatric cardiology?
NHS paediatric cardiology waiting times can be 3–6 months or longer for routine referrals. Private consultation at The Vesey typically means assessment within 5–10 days, with investigations arranged in the same appointment.
Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist in Sutton Coldfield
Seen within 5–10 days. Open 7 days 8am–8pm. No GP referral needed. Free parking.
Free reschedule with 48+ hours' notice · CQC reg. 1-13508890408