Complete guide to NHS cardiac services in the UK — cardiac waiting times, heart failure management, cardiac rehabilitation, NICOR national audits, NICE guidelines, and cardiac software.
7.6 million people in the UK have heart disease. CVD costs the NHS £9 billion annually. Cardiac rehab reduces mortality by 25% but only 50% of eligible patients receive it. This guide covers NHS cardiac services.
NHS Cardiac Service Components
| Service | Description | Waiting Time Target |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiology OPD | Outpatient cardiology consultations | 18 weeks RTT |
| Echocardiography | Cardiac ultrasound | 6 weeks |
| Coronary angiography | Diagnostic cardiac catheterisation | 6 weeks (urgent 2w) |
| PCI (stenting) | Percutaneous coronary intervention | Urgent: 2 weeks |
| Cardiac surgery | CABG, valve surgery | 18 weeks |
| Cardiac rehab | Post-MI, post-surgery rehabilitation | Within 28 days of discharge |
| Heart failure clinic | Specialist heart failure management | 2 weeks (new diagnosis) |
| Arrhythmia service | Pacemaker, ablation, AF management | 18 weeks |
Heart Failure Management
- Diagnosis: NT-proBNP blood test → echocardiography if positive
- Specialist review: Heart failure specialist within 2 weeks of diagnosis
- Medication optimisation: Four pillars — ACEi/ARNI, beta-blocker, MRA, SGLT2i
- Remote monitoring: Daily weight, symptoms monitoring via virtual ward
- Patient education: Self-management, fluid restriction, symptom recognition
- MDT review: Monthly MDT for complex heart failure patients
- Advanced therapies: ICD, CRT, LVAD, transplant assessment
- Palliative care: End-of-life planning for advanced HF
Cardiac Rehabilitation
| Phase | Description | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | In-hospital education and mobilisation | During admission |
| Phase 2 | Early outpatient rehabilitation (6-12 weeks) | Within 28 days of discharge |
| Phase 3 | Structured exercise and education programme | 6-12 weeks post-discharge |
| Phase 4 | Long-term maintenance exercise | Ongoing community |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are NHS cardiac waiting time targets?
- NHS cardiac waiting time targets: Cardiology outpatient — 18 weeks RTT. Urgent suspected cardiac cancer — 2 weeks. Routine echocardiography — 6 weeks. Coronary angiography — 6 weeks (urgent: 2 weeks). Cardiac surgery — 18 weeks. As of 2026, 30% of cardiac patients wait over 18 weeks.
- What is NICOR?
- NICOR (National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research) manages national cardiac audits: 1) National Cardiac Audit Programme (NCAP), 2) Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP), 3) National Heart Failure Audit (NHFA), 4) National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation (NACR). All NHS trusts must submit data.
- How many people have heart disease in the UK?
- 7.6 million people in the UK have heart and circulatory diseases. 100,000 hospital admissions for heart attacks each year. 900,000 people have heart failure. Cardiovascular disease costs the NHS £9 billion annually. Cardiac rehabilitation reduces mortality by 25% but only 50% of eligible patients receive it.