Affidea unveils new ‘Heart Health Check’ – a comprehensive heart check up to help patients understand their cardiac risk factors and take preventative action
- Advanced cardiac assessment includes electrocardiogram (ECG), heart ultrasound, advanced blood testing and recommendations on preventative steps
- Dr Matthew Barrett appointed Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Governance Lead for Heart Health Check
- Affidea Heart Health Check now available in Dublin and will open in Cork in July
A new ‘Heart Health Check’ has been unveiled by Affidea, one of the most advanced and fastest-growing healthcare providers on the island of Ireland. The comprehensive cardiac check-up is aimed at encouraging people to take a proactive approach to their heart health, understand their risk factors and take preventative action before any issues develop.
Dr Matthew Barrett has been appointed as Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Governance Lead for Affidea’s new Heart Health Check. With over two decades of experience, his specialities include advanced cardiac imaging, heart failure, cardiovascular prevention and the use of eHealth in chronic disease management.
Dr. Barrett is overseeing the development and delivery Affidea’s Heart Health Check and ensuring the highest standards of patient care. The service is currently available in Affidea clinics in Dublin and will be available in Cork from July. No referral is required and patients can book an appointment on https://www.affidea.ie/hearthealth/
Patients undergo a full evaluation of their heart health including key physical measurements, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a detailed ultrasound scan of the heart, alongside advanced blood testing. This includes Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), an important and often under-tested indicator of cardiovascular risk. All results are clinically reviewed, providing patients with clear insights into their cardiovascular risk profile as well as guidance on preventative steps and lifestyle interventions where appropriate.
Dr Barrett is a graduate of University College Dublin and completed his specialist cardiology training in Ireland, followed by subspecialty training in advanced cardiovascular imaging at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He currently works as a consultant cardiologist across St. Vincent’s Hospital Healthcare Group and HSE Community Healthcare Organisation, with a focus on community care, eHealth and chronic disease management.
Dr Barrett is also Chair of the Prevention Council of the Irish Heart Foundation and serves as Integrated Care Lead with the National Heart Programme.
Barry Downes, CEO of Affidea UK and Ireland, said:
“Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Ireland and affects a broad range of people. As a result, early detection is key when it comes to heart health. Our new service is about empowering people to take a proactive approach, understanding their risk factors and taking action before issues develop. By combining advanced diagnostics with expert clinical oversight, we are providing patients with accessible, high quality preventative care in a community setting. We’re delighted to appoint Dr. Matt Barrett to this important role as his vast expertise in cardiovascular care and a passion for patient – centric diagnostics will be hugely beneficial to us as we encourage people across Ireland to take control of their heart health.”
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Matthew Barrett said:
“I’m delighted to take on this role with Affidea at a time when preventative cardiology has never been more important. This service enables people to better understand their heart health and take practical steps to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. So, whether you have a history of heart disease in the family, are an athlete training for your next personal best or a busy executive in a stressful job, then getting a heart health check will help you understand your own risk factors and allow you to take preventative action. By identifying issues early, we have a real opportunity to improve long-term outcomes for patients.”
Seeing and treating over 300,000 public and private patients annually through a dedicated workforce of 400+ healthcare professionals, Affidea Ireland delivers fast access to world‑class diagnostic imaging*, urgent care and a range of outpatient services, including day case elective surgery.
Affidea Ireland has a network of 24 clinical facilities across the Republic of Ireland, including several minor injury units**, and four facilities in Northern Ireland – two in Hillsborough, one on Malone Road in Belfast, and most recently a new MRI centre in Omagh.
Outpatient surgery services include Consultant led orthopaedics, plastics, dermatology, urology, gynaecology, pain management and ophthalmology services, as well as Heart Health Clinics, Bone Health Clinics and Women’s Health Clinics.
A next‑generation medical facility will open on Belfast’s Boucher Road in early 2027 as part of a multi‑million‑euro investment programme across the island of Ireland. With capacity for up to 50,000 patients each year, Boucher Road will become Northern Ireland’s most modern state of the art healthcare facility incorporating an orthopaedic centre of excellence and a full diagnostic imaging centre. The construction phase will create up to 120 high‑skill jobs. This investment complements a variety of other significant upgrades across Ireland that are enhancing access, speed and quality of care for patients nationwide.
As part of the wider Affidea Group – Europe’s largest provider of advanced diagnostics with over 430 centres across 15 countries – Affidea Ireland brings internationally benchmarked standards, innovation, evidence-based medicine and clinical excellence to communities across the island, elevating patient experience while supporting both public and private healthcare systems.
