Articles (11)
Coronary heart disease is the term that describes what happens when your heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries.
Articles for Coronary heart disease
Causes
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is usually caused by a build-up of fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries around the heart (coronary arteries). Your risk of developing atherosclerosis is significantly increased if you; smoke, have high blood pressure, etc.
Classification of heart diseases
Classification of heart diseases
Diagnosis
If your doctor thinks you may be at risk of developing CHD, they may carry out a risk assessment for cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction or stroke . This may be carried out as part of a health check.
Introduction
Find out about coronary heart disease, which is a major cause of death both in the UK and worldwide. It's responsible for more than 73,000 deaths in the UK each year.
Patient story: "I felt like I'd been kicked in the chest."
A quick diagnosis and emergency treatment saved Lynn Connor's life. She shares her story.
Patient story: "I try to go to the gym once or twice a week for a workout."
Actor Rudolph Walker, 65, is a far cry from Patrick Trueman, the rum-swilling, fry-up-munching character he plays in EastEnders.
Patient story: "My heart was racing... the pain was awful"
After a heart attack, 36-year-old Debbie Siddons was too scared to pick up her 18-month-old baby. Rehabilitation helped her move on with her life.
Prevention
There are several ways you can help lower your risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), such as reducing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. You should limit the amount of salt you eat to no more than 6g (0.2oz) a day, as too much salt will increase your blood pressure.
Recovery
After having heart surgery or problems like a heart attack, it is possible to resume a normal life. If you have heart surgery, a member of the cardiac rehabilitation team may visit you in hospital to give you information about your condition and the procedure you are having.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD) are chest pain (angina) and a heart attack. You can also experience other symptoms, such as palpitations and unusual breathlessness...
Treatment
Although coronary heart disease (CHD) cannot be cured, treatment can help manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of further problems. If you have been diagnosed with CHD, you can reduce your risk of further episodes by making simple lifestyle changes.
