Dr Aaisha Opel
Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist
MBBS PhD FRCP BSc (Honours)
Specialises in
- Cardiology - all symptoms and areas
- Heart rhythm management (cardiac electrophysiology)
- Long COVID/POTS/autonomic dysfunction
- Cardiovascular prevention and screening
- Women's heart health
I am a Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist (heart rhythm specialist) with several years of experience and consult on all aspects of Cardiology, investigating symptoms of palpitation, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and blackouts or collapse, an understandable concern for many, as well control of risk factors for cardiac conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
My expertise lies in cardiac rhythm management and its investigation (electrophysiology) hence heart rhythm problems (palpitation, dizziness, arrhythmias, fast and slow heart rates, ablation), inherited arrhythmias, syncope (blackouts, collapse), all aspects of device therapy, as well as their overlap with heart muscle conditions (cardiomyopathies) and heart failure.
I am one of a small number female cardiologists in the country and one of an even smaller number of female electrophysiologists in the country.
I have worked at world-class centres, with other experts in the field.
I was appointed as a Consultant in Cardiology and Electrophysiology at the renowned Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals and Chelsea and Westminster NHS foundation trusts before taking up my current post at the North Middlesex University Hospital. In 2021, I was also appointed as Clinical Director of Medical Specialties, in 2023, Clinical Safety Officer and 2024, Medical Director.
I gained my primary medical qualification at University College London in 2001 with distinction, alongside my Bachelor's degree in Anatomy with Honours and later MRCP and PhD. I completed general cardiology training and undertook excellent subspecialty training in Electrophysiology and Devices at the Barts Heart Centre, St. Bartholomew’s hospital.
Although I consult on all areas of cardiology, my subspecialty interest is Electrophysiology. This includes investigation of symptoms of palpitation, dizziness and blackouts, managing fast and slow heart rates, ablation and device therapy and other conditions where heart rhythm problems are prevalent.
I set up the first day case service for ablation of atrial fibrillation in a district general hospital during my time as a registrar at Barts. This was novel firstly, being day case ablation for atrial fibrillation and secondly, as it was performed as a district general hospital. This service won several awards and has been since duplicated in many other centres. I have published my work on this and am invited to speak about this at conferences.
I have driven other transformational changes in departments in which I have worked for the betterment of patient care.
I am heavily involved in training the next generation of Cardiologists with excellent feedback from trainees and Health Education England. I am a mentor for future cardiologists, particularly women.
I have been a voice on several councils including the British Heart Rhythm Society
(BHRS), Specialist Advisory Committee for Cardiology and British Junior Cardiologists Association. I am the UK ambassador to the European Heart Rhythm Association Young Electrophysiologists Committee.
Patients have taken their time to kindly feedback that I am caring, listen, have an empathic manner, give time and an excellent rapport with them and those I work with. I have been told that I am thorough, adopt a patient-centred approach, provide clear explanations in my management and advice, understand the patient and provide sound expertise in my field. My aim is always to deliver the first class patient care.
General Medical Council Number: 6029007
Treatment information
Some of the principal treatments carried out by Dr Aaisha Opel at Spire include:
Cardiology
- Ablation of arrhythmia
- Blood pressure test
- Cardiac CT scan (heart CT)
- Cardiac MRI scan (heart MRI)
- Cardioversion
- Cardiomemo recording
- Cholesterol level test
- CT scan
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Exercise ECG
- Pacemaker implantation
- Stress electrocardiogram
- Thyroid test
Other treatments
- All cardiac rhythm management
- Cardiac devices (consultation, implantation, checks and generator replacements)
- Inherited cardiac conditions
- Reveal device implantation
Get in touch
Additional information
Clinical interests
Atrial fibrillation
Cardiology
Qualification and professional memberships
MBBS / University College London, / 2001
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
PhD / University of London / 2001
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
MRCP / Royal College of Physicians / 2001
Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP)
Research and publications
I was bestowed the prestigious clinical research fellowship with the British Heart Foundation, during which time I undertook research about Atrial Fibrillation using basic laboratory and electrophysiology techniques. As a result, I was awarded my PhD, Young Investigator awards and published my work.
I have several publications in peer-reviewed journals and have been awarded several prizes for clinical work in service development for atrial fibrillation, research and during my university life. I am also invited to speak at national and international conferences.
Current NHS posts
North Middlesex University Hospitals
Contact information
| Private secretary | Joanna Pearson |
| Private secretary telephone | 0203 951 9786 |
| Private secretary email | pa@dropelcardiology.com |