About Us
Cardio Direct was formed in 2001 by Clare Addison and Lucia Amato. The business has grown from offering ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and 24 hour ECG monitoring to being a one-stop non-invasive cardiac investigation centre.
Meet the team:
Clare Addison: Director
Clare began her career working in clinical cardiology research first for Oxford University and then Imperial College. Clare then moved to The Royal Brompton Hospital where she managed a clinical research department specialising in hypertension and heart failure for 10 years.
At Cardio Direct, Clare has responsibility for managing the clinic and the staff on a daily basis and is responsible for ensuring our clients experience a seamless service of the highest standard. Importantly, Clare ensures that clinic practice reflects current professional and medical guidelines and research.
Lucia Amato: Director
Lucia qualified from St. Bartholemew’s hospital in 1993 and went on to specialise in both acute cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation. Following this Lucia was supported by an educational grant to carry out an audit of the heart failure service at the Royal Brompton Hospital.
At Cardio Direct, Lucia is responsible for staff development, management of policies and protocols and personnel. She liaises with regulatory bodies and has a particular interest in the health screening program.
Clare and Lucia bring vast knowledge of medical practice and people to Cardio Direct which underpins the services and philosophy of the business.
Dr. Rumyana Iskreva
Dr Iskreva specialised in General Medicine and Cardiology in Europe. She has widespread experience in non-invasive cardiology, in particular echocardiography. Dr Iskreva has the ALS qualification.
Dr. Amanda Varnava, Consultant cardiologist
Amanda completed her undergraduate medical training at Oxford University and then qualified from St Bartholomew’s Hospital with triple honours. She has established the North West London Inherited Cardiac Disease service at St Mary’s hospital, where she sees both patients and their families for risk stratification and management of inherited cardiac disease.
She also holds a busy general cardiology post at Watford General Hospital where she manages patients with a wide variety of complaints including chest pain, palpitations and heart failure. She also runs the pregnancy and heart disease service for West Hertfordshire seeing pregnant women with known or suspected heart disease.
Amanda’s practice encompasses all aspects of adult cardiology, in particular the management of ischaemic heart disease (angina and the prevention of heart attacks), heart failure, and the evaluation of palpitations and faints.
Celia Breston RGN
Celia is a senior cardiovascular specialist nurse with extensive cardiology experience. She has a particular interest and expertise in the analysis of ECG and blood pressure data. She is responsible for patient education, fitting of ambulatory monitors and for assisting in exercise testing. She has the ALS qualification and receives regular clinical updates.
Justin O'Leary, Cardiac physiologist
Justin is the chief echocardiographer at the Heart Hospital, University College London. Justin specialises in Adult Congenital Heart Disease and also has a weekly session at Great Ormond Street Hospital providing a echocardiography service for young children.
Justin has many years experience in the cardiac screening of cardiomyopathies, as well as general cardiology.
With Justin's background in sports physiology he is also a specialist in athlete screening.
Professor Andrew Coats, Non-Exec Director
M.A (Oxon) M.B. B. Chir. (Cantab.) D.M. (Oxon.), D.Sc. (Imperial), FRACP, FRCP, FESC, FACC, FAHA, FCSANZ, MBA (London Business School), FAICD
Andrew is a consultant cardiologist who trained in Oxford and Cambridge, prior to being appointed Viscount Royston Professor of Cardiology at Imperial College, London. Andrew has also served as Director of Cardiology at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London and Dean of Medicine and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Sydney, Australia. Andrew has published over 500 research papers on hypertension, heart failure and cardiovascular disease management.
Cardio Direct has a network of consultant cardiologists and cardiac technicians who work for the clinic when required. This support enables us to deliver a comprehensive and efficient service, meeting the requirements of our clients.