Finding answers after years of being dismissed

For years, she lived with a heart rate that would suddenly spike above 200 beats per minute. She saw doctor after doctor, but the answers she received were rarely satisfying. Some told her to drink more water. Others suggested it was anxiety. All the while, she knew something wasn't right.

Then she found LivingCare and the South Yorkshire Heart Centre.

Referred through BUPA, she came across Dr Kyriacou's profile and was immediately struck by the depth of his credentials and the number of citations attached to his name. She decided to book an appointment and says it's one of the best decisions she's ever made.

A different kind of experience from the start

The booking process was straightforward and stress-free, and she felt supported by the team from the very first interaction. At reception, Mel made her feel genuinely welcome, and nurse Anya brought the same warmth and care. Unlike appointments she'd had elsewhere, nothing felt rushed. She felt like a person, not a patient on a conveyor belt.

Finally, a diagnosis

In her consultation with Dr Kyriacou, she received something she hadn't had before: a clear, thorough, and compassionate explanation of what was actually happening to her body.

Dr Kyriacou diagnosed her with SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) and took the time to explain exactly what that meant: how it works, why it was causing her heart rate to climb so dramatically, and what could be done about it. His empathy and bedside manner left a lasting impression.

He made me feel human,

she told us.

He is an amazing doctor, incredibly intelligent, but with the kind of warmth that you don't always find. I left finally feeling like someone had truly listened.

Looking ahead

She now has surgery scheduled for an ablation and cardiac mapping procedure to treat her SVT and she couldn't be more positive about what lies ahead.

Since her appointment, she has already recommended LivingCare to a friend. She says she is beyond satisfied with every aspect of her experience, and cannot praise Dr Kyriacou and the wider LivingCare team highly enough.

This story has been shared with the patient's full consent and has been anonymised at her request.