Heart Conditions

Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD)

This is the condition that gives rise to angina and heart attacks. It is the most common heart disease in the UK and occurs due to blockages within the heart's arteries by fatty deposits called plaques.

Risk factors for IHD include smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and high levels of fat (cholesterol) in the blood. IHD can, however, also occur without any risk factors. Important symptoms include chest pain or breathlessness, particularly on exertion such as exercise.

Treatments for IHD vary from medications to prevent progression, to stents to open up blocked arteries, to procedures such as coronary bypass operations. The treatments required depend on the severity and extent of the coronary disease.

Palpitations

Palpitations are the sensations of pounding or fluttering in the chest due to an abnormal heart rhythm. Palpitations are very common and can be caused by many different heart rhythm problems, which may be completely safe and benign or, much more rarely, can be more dangerous. The key to treatment for palpitations is a clinical assessment of the patient and the nature of the symptoms. Tests such as Holter monitoring can be helpful to clarify the nature of the heart rhythm disturbance.

See Tests

Heart Failure

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart no longer works effectively as a pump. This can be because either the heart muscle is impaired and doesn't squeeze blood out of the heart efficiently, or if the heart muscle is stiff and therefore doesn't fill with blood effectively. Symptoms of heart failure include breathlessness, ankle swelling, and shortness of breath, especially when lying flat or waking up in the night with breathlessness. One of the more common, but often unrecognised, symptoms of heart failure is general tiredness or lethargy.

Heart failure can be a very serious condition, but fortunately, modern treatment has vastly improved outcomes for patients. Treatments range from tablet therapy and specialised pacemakers to stenting of coronary arteries and even cardiac transplantation.

Cardiomyopathy

This term applies to a wide range of conditions that affect the heart muscle. These can range in severity from very mild and benign to severe and life-threatening. Often, symptoms do not exist. The condition may cause blackouts, shortness of breath, or even cardiac arrest. Some forms of cardiomyopathy run in the family, and screening for family members of patients with some forms of cardiomyopathy may be recommended.

Hypertension

Hypertension means high blood pressure. Although often not associated with symptoms, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as kidney failure. Management of high blood pressure is via lifestyle modification, such as diet and exercise, as well as tablet therapy.

Screening

The best way to deal with heart conditions is to prevent their occurrence in the first place, or to identify them at a time when they can be easily managed and before any damage is done. Screening tests can identify cardiac risk or early disease and allow for appropriate management.

Your Partner in Heart Health

Hampshire Heart Specialists are experts in diagnosing and treating heart conditions for men, women, and children of all ages.

Call today: 077 7532 2987