Common Conditions

Coronary Artery Disease

Furring up of the arteries which carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. A large proportion of the population is known to be at risk of this disease which may lead to sudden death, heart attack, angina and heart failure. It is particularly likely to affect those who smoke or who have smoked and those with high cholesterol levels, diabetes and blood pressure. Treatment may require the use of drugs, angioplasty (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Valvular Heart Disease

Diseases of the heart valves causing either narrowing of a valve or leaking and sometimes both. More than one valve can be affected in some conditions. Drug treatment may be sufficient but surgery to replace diseased valve(s) may be necessary.

Heart Failure

Impairment of the heart's ability to pump blood leading to reduced exercise tolerance, symptoms of breathlessness and swelling of the ankles. There are many causes for this sort of problem which may require only drug treatment in the early stages but which can progress to require a combination of therapies.

Abnormalities of the heart rhythm (Arrhythmias)

Intermittent or persistent changes in the rhythm of the heart and/or the rate at which it beats leading to symptoms of palpitation, breathlessness, faintness or actual blackout/collapse. Drug treatment may be effective for some arhythmias but pacemakers can be very effective for problems caused by a slow heart rate. Newer so-called ablation techniques are increasingly used in specialist centres for the treatment of some abnormalities of heart rhythm.