Dr David Begley

Cardiac Rhythm Management

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Dr David Begley

Electrophysiology

Dr David Begley

Pacemakers

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

Patients with heart rhythm disturbances can present with a wide variety of symptoms.

  • Palpitations
  • Breathlessness
  • Fatigue
  • Light-headedness
  • Blackouts/Syncope (read more)
Symptoms can be due to a wide variety of different rhythm disturbances.

  • 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)
Once a cause has been identified various treatment options are available.

  • 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.

Mr Lewington

Nottinghamshire

Memberships

  • European Society of Cardiology
  • British Heart Rhythm Society
  • British Cardiovascular
  • Royal College of Physicians
  • Medical Defence Union

Guidance

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.

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