The Heart Centre
Spire Bristol Hospital, The Glen

Conditions, Tests and Treatments

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  Conditions we treat at The Heart Centre

  Cardiovascular disease is also known as heart and circulatory disease, this term covers all diseases that affect the heart and circulatory system. It’s the most common cause of death in the UK and includes coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack and stroke.

  Coronary heart disease is caused by a gradual build up of fatty deposits on the walls of your coronary arteries. This causes the artery to narrow, and makes it harder for the artery to supply your heart muscle with blood and oxygen.

  Angina is a pain or discomfort in the chest, usually caused by coronary heart disease – the narrowing of the coronary artery reducing the blood supply to the heart. In some people the pain may affect only the arm, neck, stomach or jaw.

  Heart failure is the term used when the heart becomes less efficient at pumping blood round the body. It usually occurs because the heart muscle is damaged, making it difficult for the heart to pump effectively. The most common cause of heart failure is a previous heart attack but it can be the result of other conditions that can cause an increase in workload on the heart.

  Heart valve problems  The job of the four heart valves is to make sure blood flows in one direction through the heart. 

  Congenital heart disease is an abnormality of the heart that a person has had since birth. 

  Cardiac arrhythmia is a term for any of a large and diverse group of conditions in which there is abnormal electrical activity in the heart. The heart beat may be too fast or too slow, and may be regular or irregular

  Click here for a full list of conditions we treat

• Cardiology tests at Spire Bristol Hospital

  At Spire Bristol Hospital we have a range of heart assessments designed to help give you peace of mind.

  We offer a range of non-invasive cardiology investigations to help your consultant or GP assess the health of your heart. These include:

  Electrocardiogram (ECG) Measures both the rate and the electrical conduction of the heart.

  ECG monitors Measure the heart’s electrical activity and rhythm to track changes in activity over a period of time.

  Blood pressure monitors Record the change in blood pressure with activity by measuring your blood pressure at intervals over a period of time.

  Exercise ECG test Assesses the blood supply to the muscle of the heart via the coronary arteries, or assesses the heart’s response to exercise.

  Event recorder If you suffer from only occasional symptoms, this monitor is provided for longer periods of time in order to capture information regarding the event.

  Pacemaker checks Ensures all pacemaker settings are optimised, to maximise battery life and help tailor functions to improve your quality of life.

  Echocardiogram Provides a specialised ultrasound scan of the heart to give a range of information including the size, function and pressures of the heart, as well as information regarding the heart valves.

  Your Consultant or GP may suggest one or more of these investigations, so that he/she can plan an appropriate programme of treatment.

  Other cardiology procedures such as coronary angiography, coronary stenting, pace-maker implantation and ablation of arrhythmia, can be arranged by your Consultant.

  Click here for a full list of our diagnostic facilities

• Surgical procedures performed at Spire Bristol Hospital

  Coronary artery bypass graft surgery, known as heart bypass or bypass surgery, is a surgical procedure performed to relieve angina and reduce the risk of death from coronary artery disease. Arteries or veins from elsewhere in the patient's body are grafted to the coronary arteries to bypass atherosclerotic narrowings and improve the blood supply to the coronary circulation supplying the heart muscle.

  Valve Replacement There are four valves in the heart that ensure that the blood flows smoothly in one direction through the heart. The most common problems with valves occur on the left side of the heart which is the high pressure system. Valves can either be repaired or replaced but the decision can only be made after consultation with a specialist.

  Cardioversion is usually performed under a short general anesthesia, and involves delivering an electric shock to the chest, which stops the abnormal rhythm and allows the normal rhythm to continue.

  Click here for a full list of surgical procedures