Specialty: Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, with subspecialist practice in heart rhythm disturbances, atrial fibrillation, cardiac pacing and syncope
Conditions seen: atrial fibrillation (AF), heart rhythm problems and arrhythmias, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), ventricular ectopy and ventricular tachycardia, syncope and vasovagal syncope, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), blackouts, seizures and epilepsy, vertigo and dizziness, chest pain, heart failure, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
Tests, treatments and procedures: atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, electrophysiological study and ablation, pacemakers, tilt table testing, electrocardiogram (ECG), continuous ambulatory ECG monitoring, remote heart rhythm monitoring, echocardiogram, CT coronary angiography, CaRi-Heart analysis, heart health screening
Often consulted by patients with: unexplained blackouts, fainting episodes, a racing or irregular heartbeat, dizziness on standing, or a new AF diagnosis where treatment options are being considered
Patient ages seen: 18 and over
Also: founding member and partner of Welbeck Heart Health; clinical lead of the Imperial Syncope Diagnostic Unit; has performed over 2,000 catheter ablations and continues to perform more than 100 AF ablations each year; President's Medal for Cardiology, Royal Society of Medicine
Language: English
Dr Boon Lim is a Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at Welbeck Heart Health in Marylebone, London, where he is also a founding member and partner. He assesses and treats heart rhythm disturbances, including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular ectopy and ventricular tachycardia, and he sees adult patients whose symptoms include palpitations, a racing or irregular heartbeat, unexplained blackouts, fainting and dizziness on standing.
His practice also covers cardiac pacing and syncope, including vasovagal syncope and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). Investigations available through his clinic include electrocardiogram (ECG), continuous ambulatory and remote heart rhythm monitoring, tilt table testing, echocardiogram and CT coronary angiography, alongside catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, electrophysiological study and ablation, and pacemakers.
Catheter ablation forms a substantial part of his procedural practice. He has performed over 2,000 ablations and continues to carry out more than 100 ablations for atrial fibrillation each year, including complex redo cases and difficult-to-treat redo atrial tachycardia procedures. His research is directed at developing new and safer techniques for AF ablation, and he teaches registrars at a tertiary hospital based at Hammersmith and Imperial College London.
Dr Lim is clinical lead for the Imperial Syncope Diagnostic Unit, where he has extensive experience in reporting tilt table testing. He has an active research programme studying the role of the autonomic nervous system in atrial fibrillation and syncope, and he is committed to developing better and safer techniques for treating patients with these conditions.
“The exemplary patient experience at Welbeck Health is driven by clinician leaders, each an expert in their field who have come together to develop and deliver world-class cardiology care with a seamless patient journey.”
Dr Lim's research interests are in mapping and improving catheter ablation techniques for atrial fibrillation, and in developing novel strategies to treat vasovagal syncope in order to improve quality of life for patients with recurrent blackouts.
He also runs an active research programme studying the role of the autonomic nervous system in atrial fibrillation and syncope, and teaches registrars at a tertiary hospital based at Hammersmith and Imperial College London. This means his ablation and syncope practice is informed by his own research in these areas.
He is clinical lead of the Imperial Syncope Diagnostic Unit and a founding member and partner of Welbeck Heart Health. He sits on the medical advisory committees of two patient organisations working in syncope and heart rhythm disorders.
Key publications
Keeping Your Heart Healthy — book by Dr Boon Lim
'Five Tips for Heart-Healthy Eating' — Welbeck article, drawn from an extract of Keeping Your Heart Healthy
'Nutrition, Movement and Rest Tips for a Healthier, Stronger Heart' — Welbeck article written by Dr Boon Lim
'Sleep Apnoea is Recognised as an Emerging Cause of Atrial Fibrillation' — Welbeck featured article on sleep apnoea as a factor in triggering and maintaining atrial fibrillation
Royal Society of Medicine
Royal College of Physicians
Heart Rhythm Society
Medical Advisory Committee for STARS (Syncope Trust and Reflex Anoxic Seizures) Society
Medical Advisory Committee for Arrhythmia Alliance
President's Medal for Cardiology, Royal Society of Medicine
Lindo Foundation Prize, St Mary's Hospital
Runner-up, Young Investigator Award — British Cardiovascular Society and Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society meetings
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From incorporating more healthy fats into your diet to ensuring you get good quality rest, these heart health tips will help you keep your ticker on top form. Written By Dr Boon Lim. Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist
Sleep apnoea is recognised as a significant factor in both triggering and maintaining Atrial Fibrillation. This is because over time, repeated apnoeic episodes that occur repeatedly overnight may lead to stress on the heart, which can trigger AF.
In an extract from his book, ‘Keeping Your Heart Healthy’, Dr Boon Lim looks at how making changes to your diet and eating habits can make your heart healthier more generally, giving it the fuel it needs to keep it ticking for longer.
Unexplained blackouts can stem from heart rhythm disturbances, vasovagal syncope, or autonomic conditions such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). Dr Lim leads the Imperial Syncope Diagnostic Unit and uses tilt table testing, continuous ambulatory ECG monitoring, and electrophysiology studies to pinpoint the cause. Once diagnosed, he tailors treatment to the specific trigger, which may include lifestyle changes, medication, or a pacemaker.
Catheter ablation is one of the most effective treatments for atrial fibrillation (AF) that has not responded well to medication. Dr Lim has performed over 2,000 ablation procedures and conducts more than 100 each year, including complex redo cases. His research also focuses on developing safer ablation techniques and understanding the autonomic nervous system's role in AF.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) causes an abnormal increase in heart rate when you stand up, leading to dizziness, fatigue, and sometimes fainting. Dr Lim diagnoses PoTS using tilt table testing and continuous heart rhythm monitoring. Treatment typically combines medication, structured exercise programmes, and fluid and salt management strategies tailored to each patient.
You should consider a specialist review if your dizziness is accompanied by palpitations, chest pain, fainting, or if it occurs consistently on standing. Dr Lim has particular expertise in cardiac causes of dizziness and vertigo, using advanced diagnostics such as electrophysiology studies and remote heart rhythm monitoring to distinguish cardiac causes from other conditions.
Dr Lim offers heart health screening that can include an ECG, echocardiogram, CT coronary angiography, and CaRi-Heart analysis to assess both heart rhythm and coronary artery health. These tests can detect conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AF), structural heart disease, and coronary artery narrowing before symptoms become serious. Screening is available to self-pay and insured patients.