Coronary heart disease
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Coronary heart disease explained
What is coronary heart disease?
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is when your coronary arteries become narrowed by fatty material within their walls. These arteries supply your heart with blood containing high levels of oxygen.
Over time, a fatty material called atheroma (sometimes known as plaque) can build up inside your coronary arteries. This process is called atherosclerosis. Eventually, your arteries may become so narrow that they cannot get enough blood to your heart.
If a piece of atheroma breaks off, a blood clot (clump of blood) forms around this to try and repair the damage to the artery wall. This clot can block your coronary artery and cut off the supply of blood and oxygen to your heart muscle. This is known as a heart attack.
Learn more about the
signs and symptoms of a heart attack
.
Does coronary heart disease affect women?
Some people think that CHD only affects men, but it affects women as well. There are around 800,000 women living with CHD in the UK.
Learn more about
.
Signs and symptoms
What are the symptoms of coronary heart disease?
CHD develops slowly over time and the symptoms can be different for everyone. Some people do not know they have CHD before they have a heart attack.
is the name given for chest pain or an uncomfortable feeling that happens when blood flow to your heart muscle is reduced. It is a common symptom of CHD.
You might also feel pain or an uncomfortable feeling in your;
shoulders
arms
neck
jaw
back
stomach.
Other symptoms of coronary heart disease include;
shortness of breath
feeling faint
feeling sick.
Causes
What causes coronary heart disease?
There are different things that increase your risk of CHD. These include;
living with excess weight or obesity
not doing enough
getting older.
Men have a higher risk of developing CHD from a younger age. Before the menopause, women have a lower risk of being affected by coronary heart disease. But during and after the menopause, women’s risk of coronary heart disease increases.
If you’re transgender, you may have a higher risk of coronary heart disease. If you’re worried about your risk speak to your GP.
Diagnosis
How is coronary heart disease diagnosed?
Your doctor will need to carry out a few tests to diagnose CHD. These tests are very common. Some of the tests include;
(ECG)
exercise stress tests
blood tests
radionuclide tests
.
If you have any questions about these tests, speak to your healthcare professional.
You can have a free
to assess your risk of CHD if you’re between 40 and 74 years old and live in England.
If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, please check with your GP about assessing your risk of CHD.
The health check usually takes place at your GP surgery. It lasts about 20 minutes. A healthcare professional such as a nurse, doctor, pharmacist or healthcare assistant will check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They will also take a measurement of height, weight, and waist. Based on your results and lifestyle choices, they will give you practical advice about keeping your heart healthy.
Treatment
How is coronary heart disease treated?
Your doctor will discuss treatment options with you. These may include:
with or without a stent
.
In addition to medications and procedures, your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes to improve the health of your heart. These include stopping smoking, eating a balanced diet, and staying physically active.
Speak to your doctor if you’re having any concerns about your treatment. You can ask about anything from side effects to worries about your surgery.
Reduce your risk
How can I prevent coronary heart disease?
Living a healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk of developing CHD. There are lots of changes you can make. These include;
eating a healthy diet
staying physically active
quitting smoking
maintaining a healthy weight
reducing how much alcohol you drink.
Get support
Speak to our cardiac nurses for free on our
by phone, email or online chat (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Speak to others with heart conditions by joining a
support group or online community
.
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