What does a cardiological examination at Prescan include?

The examination includes an ECG, echocardiogram, exercise stress test, and blood and urine tests. These provide the cardiologist with information about your heart rhythm, heart function, response to physical activity and various cardiovascular risk factors. Cardio Vitaal Complete also includes more extensive blood testing and an ultrasound of the upper abdomen.

When will I receive my results?

You will discuss the available results of your cardiac examination with the cardiologist on the same day. A small number of blood test results may become available later and will be added to your medical record.

How long does the cardiology examination take?

Cardio Vitaal takes approximately 1 hour, while Cardio Vitaal Complete takes approximately 2 hours. Both programmes include an ECG, echocardiogram and exercise stress test. Cardio Vitaal Complete also includes additional examinations, such as an ultrasound of the upper abdomen.

Do you need a referral for a heart examination?

For a cardiac examination at a hospital, you need a referral from your GP. No referral is required for a preventive examination at Prescan. If you are experiencing heart-related symptoms, contact your GP or, if you are already receiving treatment, your own cardiologist.

Is a cardiac examination covered by health insurance?

Preventive examinations without a referral are not covered by basic health insurance in the Netherlands. Depending on the terms of your supplementary health insurance, part of the costs of preventive cardiovascular examinations may be reimbursed. Check your insurance policy for details.

Does Prescan also offer CT or MRI scans of the heart?

No, Prescan does not offer CT or MRI scans of the heart as part of its cardiac programmes. These examinations are used in regular healthcare when medically indicated. Your GP or cardiologist can advise you on these examinations.

What if I already have heart-related symptoms?

If you are experiencing heart-related symptoms, this preventive examination is not the appropriate option. Contact your GP or your own cardiologist. If you experience acute chest pain, call 112 immediately.

Cardiology Examination | Your Heart Health

Cardiological examinations

Insight into your heart

During a cardiological examination at Prescan, a cardiologist investigates your heart with an ECG (heart film), heart echo, and bicycle test, supplemented by blood and urine examination. This provides insight into your heart rhythm, heart function, response to exertion, and various risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

You do not need a referral and can discuss the available results with the cardiologist on the same day. At Prescan, you can choose between two cardiological examinations: Cardio Vital or the more comprehensive Cardio Vital Complete.

Preventive cardiological examination

A preventive cardiological examination provides insight into the function and condition of your heart and factors associated with your risk of cardiovascular diseases. The examinations are assessed by a cardiologist.

Compare our cardiological examinations
Component	Cardio Vital	Cardio Vital Complete
Cardiology
Exercise stress test	Included	Included
Echocardiogram	Included	Included
ECG	Included	Included
Follow-up with cardiologist	Included	Included
Laboratory
Blood examination	Targeted blood tests (POC)	Full panel (standard blood test)
Urine analysis	Included	Included
Ultrasound
Upper abdomen ultrasound	Not included	Included
Follow-up with radiologist	Not included	Included

Welke onderzoeken horen erbij?

Beide programma's combineren verschillende onderzoeken. Zo krijgt de cardioloog informatie over je hart in rust en tijdens inspanning en kunnen relevante risicofactoren worden meegenomen.

ECG (hartfilmpje)

Een ECG registreert de elektrische activiteit en het ritme van je hart. Ook tijdens de fietstest wordt het ECG gevolgd om te zien hoe je hart reageert op inspanning. Het ECG zit in beide programma's.

This is how a ECG works

Hartecho

Met geluidsgolven bekijkt de cardioloog onder andere de bouw en pompfunctie van het hart en de hartkleppen. Een hartecho is pijnloos, gebruikt geen straling en is onderdeel van beide programma's.

Fietstest (inspanningstest)

Tijdens de fietstest wordt de weerstand stapsgewijs verhoogd terwijl ECG, hartslag en bloeddruk worden gevolgd. Zo beoordeelt de cardioloog hoe je hart reageert op inspanning. De fietstest is onderdeel van beide programma's.

Bloed- en urineonderzoek

Bloedwaarden geven aanvullende informatie over factoren die meewegen in je cardiovasculaire risicoprofiel, zoals cholesterol en glucose. Cardio Vitaal bevat gerichte bloedbepalingen (POC: relevante basiswaarden, vooral om snel inzicht te krijgen in belangrijke risicofactoren voor hart- en vaatziekten en de nierfunctie);

Cardio Vitaal Compleet bevat een uitgebreider standaard laboratoriumonderzoek, waardoor een aantal waardes eerst naar een laboratorium moeten.

Echo van de bovenbuik

De echo van de bovenbuik is alleen onderdeel van Cardio Vitaal Compleet. Met echografie worden onder andere je lever, nieren en buikslagader bekeken. Daarbij kunnen bijvoorbeeld leververvetting of een verwijding van de buikslagader zichtbaar worden.

Je bespreekt de resultaten van deze echo met de radioloog.

This is how your examination day goes

Your examination day begins with a short intake. Then follow the different examinations, including the bicycle test, heart echo, and blood sampling. During the bicycle test, you cycle for about twenty minutes. Please bring sportswear or other comfortable clothing for this. With Cardio Vitaal Complete, you also receive an ultrasound of the upper abdomen.

After the examinations, the cardiologist will discuss the available results with you. With Cardio Vitaal Complete, you also discuss the findings of the ultrasound of the upper abdomen with the radiologist.

Cardio Vitaal lasts approximately 1 hour in total and Cardio Vitaal Complete lasts approximately 2 hours.

Uitslag en vervolg

Tijdens het onderzoek bespreekt de cardioloog de beschikbare resultaten met je. De verschillende bevindingen worden in samenhang beoordeeld en vertaald naar je persoonlijke cardiovasculaire risicoprofiel. Je krijgt uitleg en advies op basis van de resultaten. Het verslag van het gesprek vind je daarna terug in je persoonlijke MijnPrescan-omgeving.

Een klein deel van de resultaten van het laboratoriumonderzoek kan later volgen en wordt aan je dossier toegevoegd.

Wordt er iets gevonden? Dat betekent niet automatisch dat er sprake is van een ernstige aandoening. Als aanvullend onderzoek nodig is, zorgt Prescan voor een goede overdracht naar je huisarts of medisch specialist.

Preventief onderzoek kan ook nevenbevindingen opleveren. Vooraf vraagt Prescan of je geïnformeerd wilt worden over nevenbevindingen waarvoor controle of behandeling mogelijk is, conform de NEN 8051-norm.

Why have your heart examined at Prescan?

At Prescan, you know in advance which examinations will be performed, who will assess the results and when you will receive them. The examination is performed and discussed by a cardiologist who also works in a regular hospital setting.

No referral required and no long waiting times
Discussion of available results on the same day
ZKN-certified clinic with over 20 years of experience
Referral to your GP or medical specialist if further examination is needed

Prescan clinic staff member in a white medical uniform, smiling in the reception area.

“Cardiovascular diseases often develop over many years without causing symptoms. Many people only discover that something is wrong once damage has already occurred. Preventive examinations can help us detect abnormalities at an early stage, allowing us to take timely action and prevent serious complications.”

Dr. Ieva Arts

Cardiologist