Before you book

A consultation is worthwhile if you have chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath during activities that previously felt easy, palpitations, fainting or swollen ankles. Even without symptoms, a check-up makes sense if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, if there is heart disease in your family or if you want to take up strenuous exercise. You will find more details on the What I treat page.

No. Consultations and tests are private and can be booked directly, without a referral. If you have a referral or a letter from your doctor, please bring it anyway: it helps to understand the reason for the visit.

An identity document, your Italian health card if you have one, recent blood tests and cardiology reports (for example previous ECGs and echocardiograms) and a list of the medicines you take, with doses.

No, this is not necessary for the consultation or the echocardiogram. Never stop treatment without medical advice.

The first consultation with ECG takes about 30 minutes, allowing enough time to assess your concerns thoroughly. If an echocardiogram is added, a little more time is needed: we will let you know when you book.

For the consultation and the echocardiogram, the report is handed over and explained straight away, at the end of the appointment.

Yes. The consultation can take place in English, Italian or Spanish, as you prefer.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of the heart in a few seconds: it shows the rhythm and some signs of strain on the heart muscle. An echocardiogram, or colour Doppler echocardiography, is an ultrasound scan: it shows how the heart is built, how it contracts and how the valves work. The two tests complement each other: an ECG is part of every consultation, while an echocardiogram is added when needed.

Often yes, for example the consultation and the echocardiogram. When you book, tell us the reason for the visit and we will let you know whether it makes sense to add a test.

There is no single rule for everyone. If you have no symptoms or risk factors, a first check-up is useful in adulthood, especially if there has been heart disease in your family. If you already have a heart condition, high blood pressure or other risk factors, we decide together during the consultation how often you should be seen, based on your situation.

Yes. I am a paediatric and adult cardiologist: I see newborns, children and teenagers, for concerns such as a heart murmur, palpitations or fainting, and I follow children with congenital heart disease over time. Details are on the paediatric cardiology page.

Yes. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound, not radiation, and is safe for mother and baby. It can be done at any stage of pregnancy when needed. You will find more on the cardiology care in pregnancy page.

In Italy, the certificate for competitive sport is issued by a sports medicine doctor; for non-competitive sport, by your GP, your paediatrician or a sports medicine doctor. A cardiologist steps in when the sports medical examination raises a question, for example an abnormal ECG or a murmur, and further assessment is needed: see Follow-up after a sports medical examination.

If you file a tax return in Italy, yes. You receive a medical invoice that can be claimed as a health expense, provided you pay by card or bank transfer.

For private consultations and tests at the Policlinico di Milano, agreements are in place with many insurance companies and health funds, including Allianz, AON, Assirete, AXA, Blue Assistance, Caring, CASPIE, Ente Mutuo Regionale Confcommercio, FASCHIM, Generali Welion, InSalute Servizi, IWS, MSH International, My Assistance, MyRete, Nobis, Poste Welfare Servizi, Previmedical (RBM), SAS. The up-to-date list is on the Policlinico website. In other cases, you can use the invoice to request reimbursement from your insurer or health fund, subject to the terms of your policy.

The clinic is not an emergency service. In case of severe or persistent chest pain, sudden shortness of breath or fainting, call 112 immediately.