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Heart health & stroke prevention

Know your real heart and stroke risk, years before symptoms

Heart and circulatory diseases cause nearly 30% of deaths in Scotland, and for many people the first sign is a heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol alone is a poor guide to your risk. A carotid artery scan and Cardioscopy testing give a much clearer picture.

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Free, no obligation. First consultation £354, including a health coaching session. See fees

20+ years in clinical practiceIFM Certified PractitionerBritish Acupuncture Council member

Woman lying back while a clinician performs a carotid artery scan on her neck

The short answer

How can you find out your real heart and stroke risk?

Cholesterol and blood pressure alone are a poor guide. Charmaine Shepherd combines a carotid artery scan, which looks for early thickening and plaque in the artery wall, with Cardioscopy blood testing of particle size, Lp(a), inflammation, homocysteine and insulin resistance, then builds a plan to lower your risk. Her Edinburgh clinic offers carotid artery scans for £456, with no referral needed.

WhoCharmaine Shepherd, IFM Certified functional medicine practitioner, 20+ years in clinical practice
Where4 Albyn Place, Edinburgh EH2 4NG, or online by video
CostFree 20-minute discovery call. Initial consultation £354, return visits £264
ReferralNot needed. You can book directly
Carotid artery scan£456, about 1 hour, in person at the Edinburgh clinic

Is this you?

Should you check your heart health?

A family history of heart disease or stroke
High blood pressure or high cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes or insulin resistance
Menopause, early menopause or pregnancy complications
Ongoing inflammation or autoimmune disease
A previous TIA or other warning signs
Being told cholesterol is "fine" but wanting more certainty
Wanting to know whether you need statins

If any symptoms are sudden or severe, contact your GP, call NHS 24 on 111, or call 999 in an emergency.

Is cholesterol enough to judge heart risk?

Most routine heart checks look at cholesterol and blood pressure. Both matter, but many people who have heart attacks have "normal" cholesterol, and many with raised cholesterol never develop disease.

A carotid artery scan looks directly at your carotid arteries with ultrasound, measuring the thickness of the artery wall and checking for plaque. It shows whether disease is actually developing, often years before symptoms or a change in blood tests.

Cardioscopy goes further with in-depth blood testing of the factors that drive artery damage, such as particle size, inflammation, homocysteine, insulin resistance and oxidative stress. Together they show your real risk and what is driving it.

Looking for the cause

What raises heart attack and stroke risk?

Most people have more than one contributing factor. The aim is to find yours, so treatment targets the cause rather than just the symptoms.

Blood fats

Not just total cholesterol, but particle number and size, and Lp(a).

Inflammation

Chronic inflammation damages artery walls and makes plaque less stable.

Insulin resistance

Raised insulin and blood sugar speed up artery damage, often years before diabetes.

Blood pressure

High blood pressure strains the arteries and the heart.

Gut health

Gut bacteria influence blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation.

Hormones & life stage

Risk rises after menopause, and pregnancy complications are an early warning.

How I investigate

Which heart health tests are available?

Your heart health assessment can include:

Carotid artery scana painless 30-minute ultrasound of the carotid arteries measuring wall thickness and plaque. £456 at the clinic
Comprehensive cardiovascular assessmentadvanced lipids, particle size and Lp(a)
Inflammation and homocysteinehs-CRP, homocysteine, ADMA
Metabolic markersfasting insulin, glucose and HbA1c
Hormonal assessmentparticularly around menopause

Tests are priced separately and always agreed with you first. Bring any recent NHS or private results to your consultation. See all laboratory tests

How it works

How does working with Charmaine work?

Free discovery call

Free · up to 20 minutes

Tell me what’s going on and find out whether my approach is right for you.

Initial consultation

£354 · includes health coaching

A detailed look at your history, symptoms and lifestyle, with tests recommended only where they will help.

Your plan & follow-up

Return visits £264

A written plan covering nutrition, lifestyle and targeted supplements, reviewed as your results and symptoms change.

In person at 4 Albyn Place, Edinburgh, or online by video. See all fees

Questions

Questions about heart health and stroke prevention

Can’t see your question? Book a free call or ring the clinic on 0131 235 1232.

See also: Carotid scan guide · Carotid artery scan · Cardioscopy

Is a carotid artery scan safe?

Yes. It's a non-invasive ultrasound with no radiation and no needles, and takes less than 30 minutes.

Do I need a referral for a carotid artery scan?

No. You can book directly. Results are explained to you, and I'm happy to share them with your GP.

Will you tell me to stop my statin?

No. Decisions about prescribed medication stay with your GP or cardiologist. Testing can help you have a more informed conversation with them.

I have chest pain. Should I book?

No. Chest pain, sudden breathlessness or signs of a stroke need urgent medical care. Call 999. This service is for prevention and risk assessment, not emergencies.