Dr Shahed Islam – Private Consultant Cardiologist in Reading
About Dr Shahed Islam
Dr Shahed Islam is a Consultant Cardiologist providing private cardiology consultations at Circle Reading Hospital in Reading, Berkshire, Spire Dunedin Hospital and Syon Clinic in Brentford, West London.
He assesses and manages a wide range of cardiovascular symptoms and conditions, including chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations, irregular heartbeats, fainting, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrhythmias.
Dr Islam also provides pre-operative cardiovascular assessment for patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
He is committed to thorough, compassionate and patient-centred care. He takes time to listen to patients, explain investigation results clearly and discuss treatment options, ensuring that patients are actively involved in decisions about their cardiovascular health.
Heart Symptoms Assessed
When should you see a Cardiologist?
Dr Islam assesses patients experiencing a wide range of symptoms that may have a cardiovascular cause, including:
- Chest pain or chest discomfort
- Breathlessness or shortness of breath
- Palpitations
- Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Fainting or blackouts
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Unexplained fatigue
- Heart murmurs
- Abnormal ECG results
- Cardiovascular risk factors
- Symptoms requiring assessment before surgery
A cardiology consultation can help determine whether symptoms are related to the heart and whether further investigations or treatment are appropriate.
Heart Conditions Treated
Cardiovascular conditions
Dr Islam provides assessment and management of a broad range of cardiovascular conditions, including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Heart failure and impaired heart function
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Atrial fibrillation
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol)
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart valve disease
- Bradycardia and slow heart rhythms
- Heart block
- Cardiovascular risk factors
- Conditions requiring pre-operative cardiac assessment
Where appropriate, patients may undergo further cardiac investigations to establish a diagnosis and guide treatment.
Cardiac Investigations
Specialist cardiac tests and assessments
Depending on your symptoms, medical history and clinical findings, Dr Islam may recommend further investigations to understand how your heart is functioning and identify any underlying cardiovascular disease.
12-lead ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of the heart and can help identify abnormal heart rhythms and other cardiac abnormalities.
Ambulatory ECG and Holter monitoring
Extended ECG monitoring can record the heart rhythm over 24 hours, 72 hours or longer periods. It may be useful when symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness or blackouts are intermittent.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to assess the structure and function of the heart, including the heart chambers, valves and pumping function.
Stress echocardiogram
A stress echocardiogram assesses how the heart functions during increased workload and can be used as part of an assessment for coronary artery disease and other cardiac conditions.
Exercise treadmill testing
An exercise treadmill test monitors the heart during physical exertion and may provide additional information about exercise capacity, heart rhythm and possible evidence of coronary artery disease.
24-hour blood pressure monitoring
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring measures blood pressure at regular intervals during normal daily activities and can help assess hypertension and blood pressure patterns.
CT coronary angiography
CT coronary angiography is a non-invasive imaging test used to assess the coronary arteries and identify narrowing or coronary artery disease.
Cardiac MRI
Cardiac MRI can provide detailed information about the structure and function of the heart and may be used for specific assessments, including myocardial viability and ischaemia.
Blood tests
Blood tests may be recommended to assess cardiovascular risk factors such as cholesterol and to investigate possible secondary causes of hypertension.
Interventional Cardiology
Coronary angiography and coronary intervention
Dr Islam has specialist experience in interventional cardiology and coronary procedures.
Where clinically appropriate, he performs and provides expertise in:
Coronary angiography
Invasive coronary angiography is used to assess the coronary arteries and, where applicable, previous coronary artery bypass grafts.
FFR and iFR
Fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) are physiological assessments that can help determine whether a coronary artery narrowing is affecting blood flow.
Intravascular ultrasound and OCT
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) provide detailed imaging from within the coronary arteries and can help guide and optimise coronary interventions.
Coronary angioplasty and stenting
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), commonly known as coronary angioplasty and stenting, can be used to improve blood flow through narrowed coronary arteries.
Treatment of heavily calcified coronary arteries
Specialist techniques including intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) and rotational atherectomy may be used in selected patients with heavily calcified coronary arteries.
Chronic total occlusion intervention
Dr Islam has experience in the treatment of chronic total occlusions, where a coronary artery has been completely blocked for an extended period.
Heart Rhythm Procedures
Assessment and treatment of heart rhythm problems
Dr Islam provides assessment and selected procedures for patients with heart rhythm disorders.
These include:
- Extended cardiac monitoring
- Implantable cardiac monitors, including LINQ devices
- Electrical cardioversion
- Permanent pacemaker implantation
An implantable cardiac monitor may be considered when symptoms such as unexplained blackouts, dizziness or palpitations are intermittent and longer-term rhythm monitoring is required.
Electrical cardioversion may be used in selected patients to restore normal heart rhythm.
Permanent pacemakers may be required for certain slow heart rhythms, significant pauses or heart block.
Pre-operative Cardiac Assessment
Cardiovascular assessment before surgery
Dr Islam provides pre-operative cardiac assessment for patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
A pre-operative cardiovascular assessment can help identify relevant cardiovascular risk factors and determine whether additional cardiac investigations or optimisation are required before an operation.
The assessment may include:
- Review of your medical history
- Cardiovascular risk assessment
- Physical examination
- ECG
- Blood pressure assessment
- Review of previous cardiac investigations
- Further cardiac investigations where clinically indicated
- Advice regarding cardiovascular optimisation before surgery
The aim is to provide a clear assessment of cardiovascular status and identify any issues that may need to be addressed before planned surgery.
Preventive Cardiology
Reducing future cardiovascular risk
Cardiovascular prevention is an important part of cardiology.
Dr Islam assesses and manages cardiovascular risk factors including:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking-related cardiovascular risk
- Diabetes-related cardiovascular risk
- Family history of cardiovascular disease
- Established coronary artery disease
- Other cardiovascular risk factors
Where appropriate, he can recommend investigations, lifestyle measures and medical treatment designed to reduce future cardiovascular risk.
What to Expect at Your Cardiology Consultation
Your first appointment
During your consultation, Dr Islam will take time to understand:
- Your current symptoms
- When your symptoms started
- How frequently they occur
- Factors that make symptoms better or worse
- Your medical and family history
- Previous cardiac investigations
- Current medication
- Cardiovascular risk factors
- Your concerns and priorities
A physical examination will be performed where appropriate.
Dr Islam will then explain his assessment and discuss whether further investigations or treatment are required.
Depending on your circumstances, investigations may include an ECG, echocardiogram, ambulatory ECG monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, stress testing or CT coronary angiography.
The aim is to provide you with a clear understanding of your cardiovascular health and an agreed management plan.
Qualifications and Professional Experience
Dr Shahed Islam's training and expertise
Dr Shahed Islam obtained his MBBS with Merit from Guy's, King's and St Thomas's School of Medicine in 2008 and was awarded MRCP (UK) in 2012.
He completed extensive specialist cardiology training at leading UK centres, including Barts Heart Centre in London and the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre.
His specialist training includes experience in:
- General cardiology
- Coronary intervention
- Heart failure and impaired heart function
- Echocardiography
- CT coronary angiography
- Interventional cardiology
- Cardiac rhythm management
He completed dedicated fellowships in coronary intervention and the management of impaired heart function.
NHS and Academic Experience
Research, education and clinical leadership
Dr Islam holds a substantive NHS Consultant Cardiologist appointment at Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
He undertook two years of full-time clinical research, leading to the award of an MD (Res) in 2015, and has published research in peer-reviewed medical journals.
His academic interests include:
- Recovery following cardiac arrest
- Post-resuscitation care
- Cardiac rehabilitation following critical illness
- Cardiovascular medicine
He serves as Clinical Lead for Cardiac Rehabilitation at Royal Berkshire Hospital, supporting patients recovering from cardiovascular illness.
He also holds an honorary senior lecturer post at Brunel University, contributing to the education of future doctors.
Professional Memberships
Dr Islam is a member of:
- Royal College of Physicians
- British Cardiovascular Intervention Society
- British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging
Testimonials
'Dr Islam is a very dedicated and skilled interventional cardiologist'.
'Dr Islam always puts patient care at the forefront of his management'.
'Shahed is a dedicated and well rounded cardiologist. He is experienced in all aspects of Cardiology'.