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Hello. This is a audio recording which describes the contents of the patient information sheet for heart disease. heart disease. the road to a healthy heart. symptoms, treatments and maintaining your heart health page 1 We understand that being diagnosed with a disease can be extremely difficult, and an often-scary time of your life. This booklet aims at helping you understand what you have been diagnosed with, and how you can live a healthy life. title: what is heart disease Heart disease is an umbrella term that is used to describe conditions affecting the flow of blood through blood vessels to the heart by a build-up of fatty materials called plaque. This plaque builds up overtime and can restrict blood flow. Heart disease is common, affecting nearly 8 million people in the UK and is often linked to an unhealthy lifestyle. Heart disease is often caused by atherosclerosis, a hardening of your blood vessels by a collection of plaque over time. This in time will reduce the ability of blood to be able to pass through the blood vessel and to the area where blood is needed. This causes ischemia, where the cells of your heart or other areas are starved of oxygen. In severe cases, such as in a heart attack, these cells can die. title: the risk factors for heart disease Several causes have been linked to heart disease. Some we can control, such as our diet and lifestyle, whilst others are hereditary and out of our control. these include: age, gender, family history, unhealthy diet, certain medical conditions such as diabetes or clinical depression, high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels Those with a family history of heart disease are more likely to develop heart disease, often prematurely . It is important that you discuss any family history of heart disease with your GP if you have any concerns or symptoms . Early diagnosis can be crucial and prevent things such as heart attacks or strokes . information box: males are more likely to develop heart disease than females, and are two times more likely to suffer a heart attack than women information box: most people will only be diagnosed with heart disease following an event such as angina, heart attack or stroke page 2 title: symptoms someone diagnosed with heart disease can experience a variety of symptoms. Men and women often experience different symptoms . For example, men often experience the classical symptoms such as angina (chest pain), whilst women more often experience fewer common symptoms such as back pain and shortness of breath. Any concerns about symptoms should always be discussed with your doctor. symptoms felt by someone with heart disease include, but are not limited to: Shortness of breath, Chest pain, Tiredness and fatigue, A slow or fast heartbeat, Swelling, often in legs or feet, Light-headedness and fainting, Abnormal heart rhythm it is important to discuss any new symptoms or concerns you have with your doctor title: symptoms explained angina.A chest pain, usually severe and a feeling sometimes compared to indigestion or heart burn. Caused by a partial blockage of the blood vessels to you heart. Often not too serious and can be relieved by medication. arrhythmia. An abnormal heart rhythm. Whether that be your heart beating too quickly, too slowly or in an abnormal way . This is because electrical signals which are sent to areas of your heart are not travelling as they should. shortness of breath, light headedness. Feeling short of breath, light-headed or fatigued is normal . As your heart is not pumping oxygen-filled blood around your body, your body lacks oxygen. Your body will then adjust and try to pump faster and/or stronger to help supply oxygen . oedema. Swelling in your ankles, legs or feet is common. Like shortness of breath in that your heart is not pumping blood as well as it should be, blood backs up or sits within your blood vessels too long, this results in fluid leaking into nearby tissues. page 3. the warning signs of a heart attack knowing the signs of a heart attack could be crucial, the sooner someone receives medical attention, the better chances of recovery a new chest pain, often a tightness. a pain that spreads from your chest to your jaw or arm, nausea, dizziness or feeling light headed, shortness of breath and unusual fatigue. you do not need to have all symptoms for it to be a heart attack. a heart attack is an emergency. if you are concerned that you or someone you know could be having a heart attack. call 9 9 9 page 4. how will I be diagnosed The way you are diagnosed often depends, most people will be diagnosed following an event such as a heart attack or stroke. However, many will be diagnosed following a visit to the GP. let’s have a look at the way you may possibly be diagnosed, or your heart may be monitored over time: electrocardiogram. An ECG is a quick and easy test that can be done to check and monitor your hearts performance. Using sensors attached to various areas on the skin, we can check your hearts rhythm, strength and electrical activity. We can also use an ECG to monitor your heart over time. x-ray. In an X-ray, a specialist machine is used to take pictures of your chest . We can look at your heart, lungs and ribs . This is often used to check whether symptoms are related to your heart or lungs, or any issues surrounding your heart and the area where it sits. coronary angiography. A coronary angiography is used to visualise the blood vessels that supply the heart. A special dye called a contrast medium is injected using a thin tube that is passed through blood vessels to the heart. This can be visualised using X-ray and helps us see the blood vessels a lot better and see the flow of blood. MRI and CT scans.MRI and CT scans are similar to an X-ray, but use different machines and show us a more in-depth, detailed, 3D view of the structure of the heart. This lets us see things such as the valves of your heart and how your blood moves through your heart and can be used to confirm your diagnosis. other tests. Other tests such as a troponin blood test or stress exercise test can also be used. A troponin blood test will measure the level of a protein called troponin within your blood. This is especially used following a suspected heart attack as troponin is released when the heart muscle is damaged. page 5. what are the treatments Treatment often depends on the severity of your condition. Heart disease can be managed through a combination of lifestyle changes, medications and if necessary, surgery. With the right treatment and effective lifestyle changes, your symptoms can be improved, and the health of your heart maintained. lifestyle changes. m aking better, healthier choices can significantly aid you in maintaining your heart health and reducing your symptoms. stop smoking. increase exercise. eating healthy. reduce stress medications. medications are often used to relieve symptoms, prevent further damage and reduce the risk of a heart attack. The way medications can do this varies; usually by controlling your blood pressure, widening your blood vessels or controlling levels of things like cholesterol within your blood. Each set of medications prescribed will be different and tailored to each patient. Some common medications include: Blood thinning medication. Statins. Beta-blockers. Nitrates. Angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors. Calcium channel blockers. Diuretics page 6. what are the treatments title: surgery There are many different options when it comes to surgery, and they are only performed if absolutely necessary. Surgical options include: coronary angioplasty.During surgery, the surgeon will insert a mesh tube called a stent into the artery, this helps keeps the artery open and allows blood to flow normally. coronary artery bypass graft. This is where a nearby blood vessel is removed and placed so blood can bypass the narrowed artery in the heart. Similar to a road bypass. heart transplant. This involves a full removal of the heart and is replaced with a donor heart. This is always a last result, and in the most severe cases.