Rapid Access Chest Pain at University Hospital Limerick

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm

Cardiology

Cardiology deals with disorders of the heart as well as parts of the circulatory system. The cardiology team provides 24 hour cardiac care to patients including a full range of invasive and non-interventional diagnostic tests and cardiac procedures including cardiac rehab, echocardiogram, coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty, stenting and advanced structural interventions. The cardiology department includes an acute cardiac care unit, a step down cardiac facility and a cardiology day unit. University Hospital Limerick is a nationally designated 24/7 primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) centre for STEMIs.

Rapid access chest pain

The rapid access chest pain service is a nurse-led chest pain assessment service where patients at risk of heart disease are assessed. Risk factors associated with heart disease are explained and lifestyle modifications are discussed which help improve heart health in the long term. All patients will be assessed by the clinical nurse specialist with the specific focus of identifying if you are at risk of narrowed coronary arteries. A comprehensive health history will be taken as well as a physical examination and all patients are then discussed with a senior cardiac doctor or consultant. Should you require further testing in relation to your symptoms then this can be arranged by the clinical nurse specialist. These tests may include an exercise stress test and or a coronary angiogram. The clinical nurse specialist who manages the rapid access chest pain service can be requested by your primary consultant as an inpatient assessment or for an outpatient appointment. If you are discharged for you assessment, you can expect to be seen within the same week as your doctor refers you to the service.

Referrals and Appointments

Internal directions

Cardiology unit, Level 4 critical care block