Biography

Dr Emmanuel Ako studied medicine at University College London where he graduated with distinction in 2005 and was awarded several prizes including an award from the Vandervell Foundation, PPP Foundation and National Institute of Health Research.

He is a winner of the American College of Cardiology young investigator award in Chicago for research into haemoglobinopathy and a finalist at the SCMR Early Career Awards in Los Angeles and the RSM Presidents Medal in London.

He completed an intercalated BSc in Physiology, supported by first-class honours from the Physiology Society. He completed his postgraduate medical training at St George's Hospital and the London Chest and Heart Hospital. He achieved his Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP) before dual accrediting in general internal medicine and cardiology in North East Thames Foundation School.

He trained in interventional cardiology at the Heart Hospital and Barts Heart Centre and gained complimentary training in cardiac MRI and cardiology at Great Ormond Street and Barts Heart Centre.

Clinical expertise

Dr Emmanuel Ako has expertise in general medicine and cardiology with subspecialty expertise in coronary intervention.

He is a specialist in assessing patients with:

  • chest pain
  • breathlessness
  • palpitations
  • hypertension
  • valvular heart disease
  • dizziness
  • faints
  • ankle swelling.

He is an expert in the management of coronary artery disease including microvascular angina and acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and cardiovascular complications in haemoglobinopathies such as thalassaemia and sickle cell disease.

He performs coronary angiography, coronary physiology measurements and coronary angioplasty (stenting).

Research Interests

Dr Ako has been involved in stem cell research for ischaemic heart disease and the effects of thalassemia and sickle cell disease on the cardiovascular system.

Teaching

Dr Emmanuel Ako is active in clinical education and research. He also has expertise in simulation-based training in cardiology. He has been involved in developing a very successful simulation-based training programme with Imperial College London which has been rolled out across the UK aimed at cardiologists and anaesthetists.

Publications

Dr Emmanuel Ako has published various articles, presented at national and international conferences and is a frequent speaker in public engagement workshops internationally.