Coronary Heart Disease

What is coronary heart disease?

When the major blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries) struggle to send enough blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle, resulting in inflammation and cholesterol deposits in the heart arteries.

Causes of coronary heart disease

When lipids, cholesterol, and other chemicals build up on the inside walls of the heart arteries, coronary heart disease may develop. The accumulation is known as atherosclerosis. The arteries may narrow due to atherosclerosis, preventing blood flow. In serious cases the build-up may rupture causing a blood clot.

Other causes include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Not getting enough exercise

Symptoms of coronary heart disease

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Pain all over the body
• Feeling faint
• Heart attack
• Fatigue
• Nausea

Diagnosing coronary heart disease

Your doctor may do a risk assessment if they believe you are at risk for coronary heart disease. They will conduct a blood test and inquire about your lifestyle, medical history, and family history.

To confirm coronary heart disease, additional testing, such as:

• Treadmill test
• Coronary angiography
• Radionuclide scan
• CT scan
• MRI scan

Complications

Having coronary artery disease can result in:

• Chest pain (angina)
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

Treatments

Although there is no known cure for coronary heart disease, medication can help manage the symptoms and lower the risk of complications like heart attacks.

Treatment options include:

• Lifestyle modifications, such as frequent exercise
• Medications
• Stopping smoking
• Surgical operation known as angioplasty; which uses balloons and stents to repair constricted heart arteries

Here at One Hatfield Hospital, we offer cardiology services and have a dedicated team of cardiologist on hand to rapidly assess, diagnose and treat coronary heart disease along with a range of other heart conditions.

Our hospital is perfectly located to welcome and treat patients living throughout Hertfordshire, including Hatfield, St Albans, Stevenage, Watford, North London, and Welwyn, as well as Bedfordshire.

You can use your private medical insurance or pay for your Coronary Heart Disease treatment. We offer competitive, fixed price packages. If you are using your health insurance, please contact your insurer first for approval and let them know you’d like to be treated at One Hatfield Hospital.

Why One Hatfield

• Modern purpose-built hospital opened in December 2017
• Fast access to diagnostics including MRI, X-ray and Ultrasound
• Private, spacious, en-suite rooms
• Specialist physiotherapy and nursing teams
• Little or no waiting time
• ‘Ultra clean air’ theatres
• Freshly prepared food
• Calm, dignified experience

Contact us and find out more

If you are based in and around Hertfordshire, St Albans, Stevenage, Watford, North London, Welwyn or Bedfordshire and would like to visit the One Hatfield Hospital please click here.