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Member of the Akessa Healthcare Group of hospitals

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.

Speak to our team today

Get in touch to book an appointment, for further information, or to ask any question you wish. All contact is handled securely and confidentially.

Call us on

01296 678800

Message us on WhatsApp

+44 7367 130247