About Our
Syncope Clinic
Private Syncope, Dizziness and PoTS Care
in Kent & London
Overview - What is syncope? - A specialist private syncope clinic - Investigations & Services - Who We Help - FAQs
Overview
Kent and London Cardiology provides dedicated private syncope clinics in Kent and London, delivering expert assessment, diagnosis and management for patients experiencing fainting, blackouts, dizziness, or unexplained loss of consciousness.
Our clinic is led by Dr Idris Harding, an experienced syncope and heart rhythm specialist, offering rapid access to high-quality investigations and personalised care in a calm, supportive environment.
What is Syncope?
Syncope is a temporary loss of consciousness, commonly described as fainting, caused by a sudden reduction in blood flow to the brain. While many episodes are benign, some may be related to heart rhythm disorders, blood pressure changes, or underlying cardiac conditions.
Our fainting clinics in Kent and South London are designed to identify the cause of syncope efficiently and safely, helping patients gain clarity, reassurance, and an appropriate treatment plan.
A Specialist Private Syncope Clinic
As a trusted private syncope clinic, Kent and London Cardiology offers:
Consultant-led syncope and dizziness assessment
Access to advanced cardiac diagnostics
Clear explanations and tailored treatment plans
Short waiting times and flexible appointments
Patients are seen by a syncope specialist with expertise in cardiovascular causes of fainting and blackouts.
Investigations and Services
Our syncope clinic provides comprehensive evaluation, which may include:
A detailed clinical history and examination
Tilt table testing or active stand testing with continuous BP and heart rate monitoring, available at local hospitals in Kent and South London
ECG and ambulatory heart rhythm monitoring in your own home
Echocardiography
Ambulatory blood pressure assessment in your own home
Cardiac evaluation and risk stratification
Referral for additional cardiology investigations where required
These services allow us to accurately diagnose causes such as reflex syncope, orthostatic hypotension, or cardiac arrhythmias.
Who We Help
Our syncope clinic supports:
Adults with recurrent fainting or blackouts
Patients with unexplained dizziness or near-syncope
Patients with confirmed or suspected PoTS (Postural Tachycardia Syndrome)
Individuals referred for tilt table testing or active stand testing
Patients seeking a private syncope assessment in Kent
Referrals are welcome from GPs, consultants, and self-referring patients.
Syncope Clinic FAQs
What exactly is syncope (fainting) and how does it differ from a blackout?
Syncope refers to a temporary loss of consciousness due to reduced blood flow to the brain, commonly called fainting or passing out. True syncope is usually short, with spontaneous recovery, and differs from other causes of unconsciousness like seizures or head injuries.
What are the common causes of syncope and why do they happen?
Syncope can result from several mechanisms, including reflex (vasovagal) syncope triggered by stress or prolonged standing, orthostatic hypotension from sudden posture change, or cardiac causes such as arrhythmias or structural heart disease.What tests are included in private heart failure diagnosis?
What symptoms might I notice before, during or after a syncopal episode?
People often experience dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, sweating, changes in vision or palpitations before fainting. Loss of consciousness is usually brief, with rapid recovery once blood flow returns to the brain.
How is syncope diagnosed at a specialist clinic?
Diagnosis typically starts with a detailed medical history and physical examination, often supported by tests such as ECG, tilt table testing, blood pressure monitoring, or heart rhythm monitoring to identify whether the cause is reflex, orthostatic, or cardiac in origin.
What types of tests will I need, like a tilt table test, and what do they show?
A tilt table test evaluates how your heart rate and blood pressure respond to changes in position. It can help identify orthostatic intolerance and certain forms of syncope by showing abnormal changes that might not be apparent in a regular clinic setting.
When should I be concerned about syncope and seek urgent evaluation?
Urgent evaluation is advised if episodes occur during exertion, without warning, with chest pain or breathlessness, or if they’re increasing in frequency or severity, as these could suggest a cardiac cause requiring prompt specialist assessment.
What lifestyle or self-management strategies can help reduce fainting episodes?
Simple steps like staying well hydrated, rising slowly from sitting or lying positions, avoiding known triggers (heat, prolonged standing), and measures to improve blood pressure stability can help reduce episodes, especially in reflex or orthostatic syncope.
Can syncope be a sign of a serious heart condition, and how is this ruled out?
While many fainting episodes are benign, recurrent or unexplained syncope can be a sign of underlying cardiac issues such as arrhythmias or structural heart disease. Specialist evaluation often includes ECG and other cardiac imaging to rule out serious causes.