Dr Alex Sirker

Dr Sirker is a highly experienced Consultant Cardiologist. He is head of department (Clinical Lead) for Cardiology at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Foundation Trust. He is also a Consultant in Interventional Cardiology at the Barts Heart Centre, where he performs keyhole procedures to diagnose and treat heart disease. Dr Sirker is also an Honorary Associate Clinical Professor at University College London (UCL).

Dr Sirker trained in medicine at the University of Cambridge. He graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Physiology in 1994. During his undergraduate studies, he was awarded three Scholarships, an Exhibition and numerous other prizes. He then continued training at the University of Cambridge Clinical School, before qualifying as a doctor in 1996 with triple Distinctions in Final MB examinations. His specialist training in Cardiology was undertaken at a number of leading cardiac centres, including the Royal Brompton, Harefield, and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals. His specific expertise in interventional cardiology was gained at King’s College Hospital, London and during an international fellowship at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, British Columbia, Canada.

He maintains a broad expertise in all aspects of general Adult Cardiology. He sees patients in clinic with symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations, dizzy spells and blackouts. He is involved in the care of patients with conditions that include coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, high blood pressure and heart failure. He deals with cardiac assessment prior to non-heart related surgery and advises on the prevention of heart disease in patients who may be concerned for various reasons, such as their family history. 

Dr Sirker’s specialist area (Interventional Cardiology) includes the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease, using advanced imaging techniques, such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). These are used to guide ‘keyhole’ treatment to open narrowed arteries, using balloons and stents, in some cases.

Dr Sirker won a British Cardiovascular Society Prize fellowship to undertake a PhD at the University of London. He remains engaged in clinical research, publishing extensively on factors affecting outcomes after heart attacks. He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications in medical journals.

He is passionate about improving patient care and outcomes. He has successfully implemented several quality improvement (QI) and service development initiatives in his NHS role as head of service. These have improved early access to diagnostic tests and reduced delays to receiving specialist cardiac input.