Cardiac Rhythm Management
Cardiac rhythm management is the investigation and treatment of heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias).
Arrhythmias most often cause an awareness of the heart beating (palpitations) but patients with arrhythmias may also have symptoms of fatigue, breathlessness, light-headedness or black-outs (syncope). I aim to quickly identify the cause of these worrying symptoms and provide reassurance or offer appropriate guided treatment.
Dr David Begley
I graduated from Edinburgh Medical School in 1994 (MB ChB). Following completion of my residency in South East Scotland I spent 3 years at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland where I undertook research in the investigation and management of patients with the heart muscle condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, culminating in the completion of a research degree (MD) through the University of Edinburgh.
I returned to the UK in 2002 to complete specialist training in cardiology and cardiac rhythm management at the internationally respected Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
Professional Experience
I was appointed a consultant in Cardiology at Papworth Hospital in 2007 to expand the existing cardiac rhythm management team.
Papworth Hospital was granted Royal Patronage in 2017 and was officially renamed Royal Papworth Hospital in 2018. I was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 2009 (FRCP).
I was Clinical Lead for CRM from 2011 until 2016 during a period of rapid growth, maintaining the department’s position as one of the highest volume centres in the country for both electrophysiology studies and complex ablations, and cardiac device implants.
I was Clinical Director for cardiology from 2018 to 2025.
THE QUEEN OPENS ROYAL PAPWORTH HOSPITAL
Her Majesty The Queen officially opened the Royal Papworth Hospital on Tuesday 7th July 2019. Clinical Director for Cardiology, Dr. David Begley met with the Queen during her visit meeting patients and staff of the hospital.
Conditions and Treatments
- Palpitations
- Breathlessness
- Fatigue
- Light-headedness
- Blackouts/Syncope (read more)
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
- Atrial flutter and fibrillation (AF)
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
- Heart block and sinus node disease (SND) (read more)
Assessment starts with a simple electrocardiogram (ECG). Other tests include:
- Ambulatory ECG monitoring
- Echocardiogram
- Diagnostic electrophysiology study (read more)
- Management with medicines
- Cardiac device implantation
- Catheter ablation (read more)
Testimonials
Suffering from Ventricular Tachycardia, I was looking for a better solution than just palliative drug care. After research on the web, I met Consultant Cardiologist Dr David Begley and that meeting totally changed my life for the better.
Following investigation, Dr Begley informed me that I was suitable for ablation, a process which other, less specialist, doctors had declined before because mine was “a difficult case”.
From the outset, Dr Begley was careful to explain all aspects of my condition. He impressed me with his professional but relaxed and friendly manner and I felt free to ask as many questions as I wanted. After our first meeting, I came away feeling very positive.
My ablation proved to be very successful. Dr Begley gave me back my life. Before treatment, I was in fear of VT attacks and I had many. Following treatment, I am able to work and live in a way that was impossible earlier. It is difficult to adequately describe how grateful I am.
I would recommend anybody in a similar situation to follow my path as soon as possible.
Memberships
Guidance
Cardiac Rhythmic Management
Dr David Begley is a Cardiac Electrophysiologist who provides specialist treatment of conditions requiring cardiac rhythmic management. Dr Begley is a Cambridge-based consultant so welcomes patients to clinics across the region. What is Cardiac Rhythmic Management?...
ECG’s – A Patient Guide
A thorough assessment is needed to establish the cause of your heart rhythm problem. This allows for an appropriate management plan. An ECG or Electrocardiogram recording is essential to an accurate diagnosis. A resting ECG can often provide a clue to the diagnosis...
Treatment for Heart Rhythm Abnormalities
A thorough assessment is needed to establish the cause of your symptoms and prepare treatment for heart rhythm abnormalities. An appropriate plan can be put in place to help ease the symptoms through the use of management, medication or surgery. How you describe your...
Symptoms of Heart Rhythm Abnormalities
Patients with symptoms of heart rhythm abnormalities can present with a wide variety of indicators when the heart is beating too fast or too slow. Tachycardia is when the heart is beating too fast. If it is too slow, the medical term is bradycardia. Occasionally an...
Premature Ventricular Contractions Treatment
Living with heart rhythm disturbances can be worrying so finding a clinic to provide premature ventricular contractions treatment can be a relief. Premature ventricular contractions are extra heartbeats that begin in one of your heart's two lower ventricles. These...
Consultant Cardiologist in the UK
Dr David Begley is a Consultant Cardiologist in the UK who specialises in cardiac rhythm management. This is the investigation and treatment of heart rhythm abnormalities or arrhythmias. Arrhythmias most often cause an awareness of the heart beating (palpitations). ...
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) Treatment In Cambridge
If you have recently been diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia, then you may have a lot of questions. You may not be sure what it even means. Understandably, it can be overwhelming when you get a serious diagnosis like this. However, the most pressing one is likely...
Atrial Flutter Treatment In Cambridge
Getting any diagnosis that involves your heart can be worrying. So can dealing with the symptoms of your condition. As a result, you may well be asking 'can I get atrial flutter treatment in Cambridge?' The answer is yes. Here's what you need to know. What Is Atrial...
Pacemaker Implantation Procedure
For every million people in the UK, around 560 have a pacemaker implanted for the first time each year. If you or someone you love needs a pacemaker, then it can be scary and overwhelming news. Learning more about the pacemaker implantation procedure can take away...
If you have experienced symptoms you might think are related to heart rhythm disturbance or have been diagnosed with an arrhythmia please discuss with your general practitioner whether referral is appropriate.