Dr Milena Leo is a highly skilled Cardiologist with a passion for managing cardiac rhythm disorders. She earned her medical degree in Rome in 2008 and then specialized in Cardiology in 2014 and PhD at Queen Mary University of London in 2023. She completed her training with an Electrophysiology fellowship at the renowned John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. There, she worked as an Electrophysiology Fellow and later as a Cardiology Consultant from 2020 to 2021. Dedicated to advancing heart care, she was awarded a PhD from Queen Mary University of London in 2023.
Current Role
Dr Milena Leo is currently Cardiology Consultant at the Queen Alexandra Hospital - Portsmouth University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She provides expert General Cardiology services, helping patients with a wide range of heart conditions with a compassionate and personalised approach. As a co-leader of the Arrhythmology and Electrophysiology service at Queen Alexandra Hospital, she specialises in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders, using the latest advancements to improve patients’ heart health and quality of life.
My Passions
Dr. Milena Leo is passionate about teaching and mentoring, dedicating herself to educating medical students at Portsmouth University and training future cardiologists. Beyond her professional role, she values an active and healthy lifestyle, regularly engaging in sports. In her free time, she cherishes moments with her husband and two lovely daughters, balancing her career with family life and well-being.
Expertise in Cardiac Rhythm Disorders
click on the arrows to learn more about each condition
Ectopic Beats
Supraventricular and ventricular ectopic beats are extra or skipped heartbeats caused by early electrical signals in the heart. Supraventricular ectopics start in the upper chambers, while ventricular ectopics come from the lower chambers. They can feel like a flutter, thump, or missed beat. Common triggers include stress, caffeine, and heart conditions. Usually harmless, they may need treatment if frequent or linked to heart disease, using lifestyle changes, medications, or ablation procedures.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a form of supraventricular tachycardia and consists of an irregular and often fast heartbeat that can cause dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. It happens when the heart’s electrical signals misfire, often due to high blood pressure, heart disease, or aging. AFib increases the risk of stroke and heart failure. Treatments include medications, lifestyle changes, and procedures like cardioversion or ablation to restore normal rhythm and reduce risks.
Supraventricular Tachycardias
Supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) are fast heart rhythms that start in the upper chambers of the heart. They can cause palpitations, dizziness, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath. SVTs often occur due to abnormal electrical circuits, sometimes involving accessory pathways—extra connections in the heart that allow impulses to travel in a loop, causing rapid beats. Triggers include stress, caffeine, or heart conditions. Treatments include vagal maneuvers, medications, or catheter ablation to correct the abnormal rhythm.
Ventricular Tachycardias
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a fast and potentially dangerous heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers (ventricles). It happens when abnormal electrical signals make the heart beat too quickly, reducing its ability to pump blood effectively. Causes include heart disease, prior heart attacks, and electrolyte imbalances. Symptoms may include dizziness, chest pain, or fainting. Treatment options range from medications and electrical cardioversion to implantable defibrillators and catheter ablation for severe cases.
Bradycardia & Heart Blocks
Bradycardia is a slow heart rate, usually below 60 beats per minute. It can be harmless in athletes but may cause fatigue, dizziness, or fainting if the heart doesn’t pump enough blood. Heart blocks occur when electrical signals in the heart are delayed or blocked, leading to slow or skipped beats. Causes include aging, heart disease, or medications. Treatment depends on severity and may involve stopping certain drugs or using a pacemaker
Diagnostics for Arrhythmias
ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the heart’s electrical activity via electrodes on the skin. It detects heart rate, rhythm, and electrical conduction abnormalities. For arrhythmic disorders, it identifies irregularities like atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and heart block, aiding in diagnosis, monitoring, and guiding treatment decisions such as medication or pacemaker implantation.
Holter ECG
A Holter ECG is a portable device that continuously records heart activity for 24–48 hours or longer. Unlike a standard ECG, which captures only a short snapshot, it detects intermittent arrhythmic disorders like paroxysmal atrial fibrillationor supraventricular or ventricular tachycardias during daily activities, improving diagnosis and guiding treatment for elusive rhythm abnormalities.
ILR
An implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a small, subcutaneous ECG device that continuously monitors heart rhythms for months to years. Unlike standard ECG or Holter monitors, it detects rare or unexplained arrhythmias, aiding also in the diagnosis of syncope, cryptogenic stroke, or intermittent atrial fibrillation. A physician implants the ILR under the skin of the chest in a minor procedure using local anesthesia. The device wirelessly transmits data for analysis.
Echocardiogram
A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is a heart ultrasound that helps doctors find possible causes of irregular heart rhythms. While it doesn’t directly detect arrhythmias, it shows heart size, muscle strength, and valve function. This helps identify conditions like weak heart pumping, enlarged heart chambers, or valve problems that may lead to abnormal heartbeats.
Stress ECG
A stress ECG, or exercise electrocardiogram, records the heart’s electrical activity while a person exercises, helping detect arrhythmias that occur during exertion or can help detect reduced blood supply to the heart as cause of arrhythmias. It also assesses chronotropic incompetence, a condition where the heart fails to increase its rate appropriately with exercise.
Electropshysiological Study
An electrophysiological study (EPS) is a specialised test that evaluates the heart’s electrical system by inserting thin catheters into the heart through blood vessels from the groin. It helps diagnose and locate arrhythmias circuits, such as for supraventricular tachycardia or ventricular tachycardia. EPS can also guide treatment, including catheter ablation to correct abnormal electrical pathways.
Procedures
click on the arrows to learn more about each procedure
(Electrical) Cardioversion
Cardioversion is a procedure used to restore a normal heart rhythm in people with irregular heartbeats like atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. It is performed using electrical shocks delivered through patches or paddles on the chest. The patient is put to sleep with short-acting anesthesia, so they do not feel the shock. The procedure briefly stops the heart to allow it to reset to a normal rhythm. Risks include blood clots and abnormal rhythms, so blood thinners may be needed beforehand. Benefits include improved heart function and relief from symptoms like palpitations and fatigue.
Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation is a procedure that treats abnormal heart rhythms by destroying small areas of heart tissue that cause the problem. A thin tube (catheter) inserted from the groin vein is guided into the heart through a blood vessel. For atrial flutter, doctor uses heat energy (radiofrequency ablation) to block faulty signals in a specific area. In atrial fibrillation, doctor focuses on areas near the lung veins and may use either heat or freezing energy (cryoablation). For ventricular tachycardia, ablation can stop dangerous arrhythmic episodes that could lead to cardiac arrest. The procedure is performed under X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy) and advanced 3D mapping systems, which create a detailed map of the heart and of the faulty circuits. This allows doctors to precisely target the problem areas, minimizing risks and improving success. While complications like bleeding, blood clots, or heart damage can occur, these risks are reduced with imaging guidance, blood thinners, and expert care. Ablation can significantly reduce symptoms, improve heart function, and prevent life-threatening arrhythmias.
Pacemaker Implantation
A pacemaker is a small device used to treat heart block, a condition where the heart beats too slowly due to faulty electrical signals. The device is implanted under the skin, usually near the collarbone, with thin wires (leads) placed in the heart through a blood vessel. The pacemaker sends electrical pulses to keep the heart beating at a normal rate. This improves symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and fainting while helping the heart work more efficiently. Risks include infection, bleeding, or lead displacement, but these are minimized with careful surgical techniques and follow-up care. A pacemaker can greatly improve quality of life and prevent dangerous slow heart rhythms
Contact & Book Appointment
Dr Milena Leo sees patients for regular outpatient clinics both at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and Spire Portsmouth Hospital and perform procedures at Queen Alexandra Hospital .
Contact [email protected] with your information and preferred times. Secretarial Team will respond within one business day to confirm your appointment.