Coronary heart disease is when there’s a build-up of fatty substances in the arteries that supply blood to your heart muscle. It’s sometimes called cardiovascular disease or ischemic heart disease.
Coronary heart disease is when:
Sometimes, pieces of the atheroma break off and form a blood clot or thrombosis causing a heart attack or a stroke.
Sudden pain in your chest can be a symptom of a life-threatening condition such as a heart attack. If you notice any of the following symptoms, call 999 immediately:
It’s vital that the cause of your chest pain is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
You may not notice any symptoms of coronary heart disease. However, you may notice angina symptoms of breathlessness, or pressure on your chest during physical exertion.
However, if you think you’re at risk it’s important to see your GP or doctor for a risk assessment to assess the possibility of developing angina, a heart attack, heart valve disease or a stroke.
You can book an appointment with a Spire private GP today.
Your GP will carry out a risk assessment and will ask you about:
They may carry out these tests:
If your doctor suspects coronary heart disease they’ll refer you for other tests. These may include:
You may also be referred to a cardiologist – a doctor specialising in the heart and circulatory system.
Coronary heart disease is more likely as you get older, but it’s often manageable with lifestyle changes or treatment.
There are certain health conditions that increase your risk of developing coronary heart disease. These are:
However, lifestyle choices can increase your risk. You’re more likely to have coronary heart disease if you:
Other factors that increase your risk, but you can’t control are:
You can reduce your risk of a heart attack or a stroke by:
You may be prescribed medications, such as:
Surgery for coronary heart disease
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease/
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/coronary-heart-disease