Cardiology

Coronary artery disease narrows arteries supplying the heart muscle, usually through fatty plaque. It may cause exertional chest discomfort or a heart attack.

Acute coronary syndrome is a sudden reduction in blood supply to the heart, sometimes causing muscle damage. New persistent chest pain with breathlessness or sweating needs emergency assessment.

Angina is chest discomfort from inadequate blood flow to heart muscle. New pain, pain at rest or symptoms lasting longer than usual may be an emergency.

Heart failure means the heart cannot pump or fill effectively enough. Breathlessness, ankle swelling and fatigue are common, but causes and severity vary.

Arrhythmias are heart rhythms that are too fast, too slow or irregular. Some are harmless, while others can cause fainting or impaired circulation.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular rhythm arising in the upper heart chambers. It can cause palpitations and increases stroke risk even without symptoms.

Valvular heart disease involves a narrowed or leaking heart valve. Its effects depend on the valve involved and may include breathlessness or fluid retention.

Cardiomyopathies are diseases affecting heart-muscle structure or function. Some are inherited; others arise from illness, toxins or an unidentified cause.

High blood pressure places extra strain on the heart and arteries. Repeated reliable measurements confirm the diagnosis and assess treatment response.

Pulmonary hypertension is high pressure in lung arteries that can strain the right heart. Breathlessness, fatigue and fainting are possible symptoms.

Congenital heart disease describes structural differences present from birth. Some are detected in infancy, while others are recognised later.

Artery disease outside the heart may indicate broader atherosclerosis risk. Smoking, glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol are considered alongside circulation symptoms.

Dyslipidaemia means abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Results are interpreted with other risk factors to estimate cardiovascular risk.

Chest pain has cardiac and non-cardiac causes. Risk assessment also considers family history, diabetes, blood pressure and smoking rather than symptoms alone.