What is angina?

The medical term given to pain in the chest caused by narrowings in the coronary arteries (which supply blood to heart muscle). This is usually a heavy, central chest pain that is brought on by exertion and relieved by rest (stable angina). Sometimes the pain worsens dramatically and begins to come on with little or no exertion (unstable angina). Unstable angina may progress to heart attack.

What is a heart attack?

This is a sudden, usually more severe, chest pain brought on by complete blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot (hence the alternative term coronary thrombosis). There are life saving treatments that unblock the artery and minimise complications, so it is important that an ambulance is called immediately to any person suffering a suspected heart attack.

What is an ECG?

An ECG is an electrocardiogram, which is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart detectable at the heart surface. Your doctor can diagnose disturbances in heart rhythm and can sometimes see changes indicating a heart attack.

What is an exercise test?

The patient is asked to walk on a treadmill while the blood pressure, heart rate and ECG are being recorded.

When is an exercise test needed?

It is used as a screening test to confirm a diagnosis of angina. Exercise induces pain and characteristic changes on the ECG.

Why do people with heart problems sometimes become breathless?

Breathlessness may occur because the heart muscle is not pumping properly or because there is a fault with one of the heart valves. The heart cannot pump sufficient blood around the body to cope with increased demand during exercise. In more severe cases, back pressure leads to a build up of fluid which can produce severe breathlessness accompanied by ankle swelling. This condition is known as heart failure.

How can heart failure be diagnosed?

It can be picked up on a chest X-ray, but the best way is to use heart ultrasound (echocardiography) to view the structure of the heart muscle and valves.

Can heart failure be treated?

The outlook for heart failure patients has been transformed in recent years by very effective new tablet treatments that improve symptoms and prolong life. An operation to repair or replace a valve is sometimes necessary, but it is not possible to repair damaged heart muscle.

What causes palpitations?

These are due to a disturbance in the rhythm of the heart. Usually this is not dangerous, but it can be the sign of a serious underlying heart problem especially if associated with blackouts.

Back