Contents
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:
- ECG and 24-hour Holter monitoring
- Echocardiography and stress echo for valve and muscle assessment
- CT coronary angiography or calcium scoring for plaque detection
- Trans-oesophageal echo and cardiac MRI for detailed imaging
- Blood tests – cholesterol, HbA1c, high-sensitivity troponin
- 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.
8 July 2025