If your doctor has mentioned a heart scan, or you have been putting off getting a symptom checked, knowing what the test actually involves usually makes the decision easier. An echocardiogram is one of the most informative cardiac investigations available, and it is also one of the least demanding on the patient: no needles, no radiation, and nothing you need to do beforehand.
Here is what the scan shows, why it gets ordered, and how to arrange one privately in Gibraltar.
What an echocardiogram actually shows
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart. A small probe is moved across your chest, and the returning sound waves build a moving image of the heart as it beats.
That live image lets a cardiologist assess several things at once:
- Pumping strength. How efficiently the left ventricle empties with each beat, usually reported as the ejection fraction.
- Valve function. Whether any of the four heart valves is leaking or has become narrowed.
- Chamber size and wall thickness. Enlargement or thickening can point to long-standing high blood pressure or to a cardiomyopathy.
- Blood flow. Doppler echocardiography adds colour to the image and measures the speed and direction of blood moving through the heart, which is how leaks and narrowings are quantified.
- The surrounding structures. Fluid around the heart, or problems with the aorta as it leaves the chest.
It is a structural and functional test. It shows how the heart is built and how well it is working, in real time.
Reasons your doctor might order a heart scan
Common triggers include:
- Breathlessness on exertion, or waking short of breath.
- Palpitations, or a heartbeat that feels irregular.
- Chest tightness or discomfort.
- Ankle and leg swelling.
- A murmur picked up during a routine examination
- Long-standing high blood pressure.
- Follow-up of a valve problem or heart failure already diagnosed.
- A family history of inherited heart conditions.
- Baseline assessment before treatments known to affect the heart.
You do not need all of these. One persistent symptom is reason enough to have it looked at.
Booking an echocardiogram in Gibraltar
At Midtown Clinic the scan is performed on site, so there is no need to travel elsewhere for the imaging. Appointments are made directly with our cardiology service in Gibraltar team by calling reception on +350 200 62222.
Most patients are seen for a consultation and the scan in the same visit, meaning the cardiologist who examines you is also the one interpreting the images. That matters more than it sounds: findings on an echo are read in the context of your symptoms, your blood pressure and your history, not in isolation.
The clinic address is: retail Unit No. 1.00, Ground Level Providence, MidTown, Queensway, Gibraltar.
Meet the cardiologist behind the scan
Echocardiograms at Midtown Clinic are carried out by Dr Gerardo Nau, a cardiologist specialising in coronary artery disease, cardiac imaging and advanced cardiovascular diagnostics. He trained at Hospital Gregorio Marañón in Madrid and completed a clinical internship at Stanford University.
Preparing for your echocardiogram: what happens on the day
There is nothing to prepare. Eat normally, take your usual medication and come as you are.
You will be asked to undress to the waist and lie on your left side on an examination couch. A water-based gel is applied to the chest so the probe makes proper contact and the cardiologist moves it to different positions to capture views from several angles. You may be asked to hold your breath briefly or to roll slightly.
You will hear a whooshing sound at points. That is the Doppler picking up blood flow and it is entirely normal.
The scan itself is painless, uses no radiation and typically takes between 20 and 40 minutes depending on how much detail is needed. You can drive afterwards and return straight to work.
Understanding your echocardiogram results
Because the cardiologist performs the scan personally, the main findings are usually discussed with you during the same appointment rather than weeks later by letter.
From there, one of a few things tends to happen. A normal scan means reassurance and, if a symptom remains unexplained, a look at other causes. A minor finding, such as mild valve leakage, often needs nothing beyond a repeat scan at an agreed interval.
You are given a written report of the study, which you can share with your GP or with a specialist outside Gibraltar.
Common questions about heart scans in Gibraltar
What is the difference between an echocardiogram and an ECG?
These two get confused constantly, partly because the names look alike.
An ECG records the heart's electrical activity through small stickers placed on the skin. It takes a couple of minutes and is very good at picking up rhythm problems and signs of a previous heart attack.
An echocardiogram produces pictures. It says nothing about electrical rhythm, but it shows the anatomy and the pumping function that an ECG cannot see.
They answer different questions, which is why patients are often sent for both.
Do I need a referral to book a private echocardiogram?
No. You can book privately without a GP referral. That said, if you already have letters, previous scans or an ECG from another doctor, bring them, as they give useful context.
I live in Spain. Can I book an appointment at the clinic?
Yes. At Midtown Clinic, we see patients from Sotogrande, La Línea, San Roque and across the Campo de Gibraltar.
Consultations with Dr Gerardo Nau are available in both English and Spanish, ensuring clear communication regarding your diagnosis and treatment.
Which insurance providers cover an echocardiogram at Midtown Clinic?
If you are planning to have an echocardiogram in Gibraltar using your health insurance, we accept a wide range of international providers, including*:
- AXA Health
- ALC Global Health Insurance
- Now Health International
- PassportCard
- Bupa
*Coverage for cardiac imaging varies between policies, so we recommend checking with your provider before your appointment.
If you are insured with one of these providers, please present your pre-authorization at reception and we will manage the process for you.
If your insurance company is not on this list, you can still visit us — simply pay for your session and claim the cost back directly with your provider (Pay & Claim). We accept credit/debit card and cash.
Can I book an echocardiogram without private insurance (self-pay)?
Yes, you can book an echocardiogram at Midtown Clinic without private health insurance. We accept credit/debit card and cash.