Rapid Access Chest Pain Service (RACP)

If you are referred to the RACP Clinic, we will usually offer you a first appointment either in person or by telephone.

At this first appointment, we will:

• talk with you about your symptoms and any medicines you are taking
• discuss a plan for your treatment going forward
• if you attend in person, a nurse may check your blood pressure, do an ECG (heart tracing), and carry out a brief physical examination

We do not do diagnostic tests at the first appointment. If a test is needed, we will arrange it for you afterwards.

If needed, the nurses will discuss your case with the consultant to agree the next steps. This could include changes to your medicines, arranging tests, and booking a follow-up appointment.

We will share the outcome with you either at your follow-up appointment or by letter in the post.

You can be referred to the chest pain service by your GP. Some patients are also referred from the Emergency Department or Same Day Emergency Care.

If you have been referred for an appointment with the RACP Team, you may need some tests. This will depend on your symptoms and your medical history.

These tests help us find out whether your symptoms are caused by angina and guide the best treatment for you.

Stress echo test

A stress echo test checks how your heart works when it is under stress. During the test, you walk on a treadmill while your heart is monitored using sticky pads on your chest. Your heart rate and blood pressure are checked throughout.

An ultrasound scan of your heart is taken before you start walking and again after exercise to see how well your heart muscle is pumping.

The team will talk to you in the clinic about whether you are able to use a treadmill. If you are worried you may not manage this, other options can be discussed.

CT coronary angiogram

A CT coronary angiogram (CT CA) is a scan that takes detailed pictures of the heart’s blood vessels. The scanner is doughnut-shaped, and the test uses X-rays to create images while the heart is beating.

This test checks the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. If they become narrowed or blocked, known as atherosclerosis, this can lead to heart attacks.

1. Sit down and take a rest
2. Take GTN spray - one to two puffs under the tongue (if prescribed)
3. Wait five minutes
4. If the pain continues or gets worse, repeat steps two and three
5. If you still hae chest pain after 10 minutes, call 999

The British Heart Foundation website has helpful information about heart conditions, symptoms and treatments. Anyone can use these resources for clear and trusted advice.

If you have an open referral with our service, you can contact us at any time if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to help.

• Angina (British Heart Foundation)
• Coronary angioplasty and stents (British Heart Foundation)
• Diabetes - causes, symptoms and treatments (British Heart Foundation)
• Healthy eating (British Heart Foundation)
• High cholesterol - symptoms, causes and levels (British Heart Foundation)
• Medicines for heart conditions (British Heart Foundation)
• Smoking (British Heart Foundation)

Useful resources from Heart UK