Heart Disease

Overview

“Heart disease” is an umbrella term covering conditions that impair the heart’s structure or function—most commonly coronary artery disease (CAD), but also heart-valve disorders, cardiomyopathy and rhythm problems. CAD alone remains the leading cause of death in the UK and is a major trigger for heart attack and stroke. At Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, our consultant cardiologists deliver rapid diagnosis, advanced treatment and tailored rehabilitation to protect your heart and long-term health.

Key Forms of Heart Disease

Coronary artery disease: Atherosclerotic plaque narrowing heart arteries can lead to Angina or heart attack.

Heart-valve disease: Aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation can lead to Breathlessness and/or heart failure.

Cardiomyopathies: Dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive leads to Heart-failure symptoms, arrhythmia.

Heart failure: Reduced pumping efficiency from any cause leads to Fatigue, fluid retention, breathlessness.

Major Risk Factors

• High LDL cholesterol / high-cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes or obesity
• Smoking and excessive alcohol
• Sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, chronic stress
• Family history of early heart disease
• Ageing (men > 45, women > 55)

Common Warning Signs

Symptoms differ by condition but should never be ignored:

• Chest pain or pressure (angina)
• Breathlessness on exertion or when lying flat
• Palpitations, irregular heartbeat or fluttering
• Unexplained fatigue or exercise intolerance
• Dizziness, fainting or near-syncope
• Swollen ankles, legs or abdomen (fluid build-up)
• Sudden pain in the arm, jaw or back—possible heart attack; call 999

Diagnosis

Our Heart & Vascular Centre offers:

1. ECG and 24-hour Holter monitoring
2. Echocardiography and stress echo for valve and muscle assessment
3. CT coronary angiography or calcium scoring for plaque detection
4. Trans-oesophageal echo and cardiac MRI for detailed imaging
5. Blood tests – cholesterol, HbA1c, high-sensitivity troponin
6. Exercise tolerance tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)

Results are reviewed by a consultant cardiologist to create an individualised care plan.

Treatment & Long-Term Management

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Smoking cessation, Mediterranean-style diet, regular exercise, stress control
• Weight-management and diabetes optimisation
• Blood-pressure and cholesterol targets per NICE guidelines

Medication

• Antiplatelets, statins, beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors or ARNI, anti-arrhythmics
• Novel oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation to cut stroke risk

Interventional & Surgical Options

• Coronary angioplasty & stenting for blocked arteries
• Bypass surgery, minimally invasive valve repair or replacement
• Catheter ablation or pacemaker/ICD implantation for arrhythmias
• Left-ventricular assist devices or referral for transplant assessment in advanced heart failure

Rehabilitation & Follow-up

Our cardiac-rehabilitation team provides supervised exercise, dietary counselling and psychological support, reducing rehospitalisation and improving quality of life.

Why Choose Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital?

• Consultant-led cardiology with on-site CT, MRI & cath-lab access
• Seamless links to stroke, diabetes and vascular services for holistic risk reduction
• Personalised medication and lifestyle programmes
• Private suites, minimal waiting times and 24/7 nursing care
• Comprehensive cardiac-rehabilitation gym and education classes

Chest discomfort, breathlessness or a strong family history? Book a rapid assessment with our cardiology team.