HEART CONDITIONS


CORONARY HEART DISEASE

The heart is a muscle, which pumps blood rich in oxygen around the body. The heart muscle itself needs oxygen and nutrients to carry on pumping. The heart muscle receives this through the coronary arteries. Coronary heart disease occurs when there is a hardening or narrowing of the arteries to the heart. This furring up of the arteries reduces the amount of blood and oxygen getting through to the heart muscle, and is caused by a build-up of cholesterol.


ANGINA

Angina is an uncomfortable feeling most often felt in the chest and brought on by exercise or stress. In some people the feeling affects the arm, neck, stomach or jaw as well as or instead of the chest. Angina is due to the gradual build-up of atheroma (fatty deposits) in the coronary arteries.

If you get pain after a particular amount of exercise, this is called stable angina and is not a medical emergency. If the pattern of pain changes and the angina comes on with less and less exercise, or even at rest, this is called unstable angina. If this happens, you must see your doctor, because unstable angina needs urgent investigation and treatment.


MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (Heart Attack)

The walls of diseased arteries may crack, causing a blood clot to form. This can happen suddenly and leads to a coronary artery becoming blocked. This blockage leads to muscle cells in the heart becoming permanently damaged. Heart attacks may occur at any time of day or night. They can also occur either when you are resting on being active.


HEART FAILURE

Heart failure occurs when the heart is not as effective at pumping the blood around the body. This can happen because of a damaged part of the heart muscle, which puts an extra strain on the heart; this results in some symptoms such as severe tiredness, breathlessness, swelling of ankles and feet. This condition is usually treated with drugs to reduce symptoms and make you feel better.


VALVULAR HEART DISEASE

The heart has four valves. Their job is to ensure that fluid flows in the right direction. The valves guard the entrances and exits of the two pumping chambers in your heart. (The right and left ventricles). A diseased or damaged valve can obstruct the flow of blood if the valve does not open fully (valve Stenosis).

Also if the valve does not close properly it may allow blood to leak backward (Valve incompetence). Both of these situations put extra strain on the heart causing it to pump harder. Often people with valvular heart disease can have their symptoms relieved by medication. However, if the disease is severe a valve replacement or valve repair maybe necessary.

For further information on heart conditions: -

www.bhf.org.uk
www.yourheart.org.uk