Heart Conditions

Heart conditions affect the heart and circulation and can impact how efficiently your heart works. Find trusted information, support and advice on common heart conditions, symptoms, treatments and living well with heart disease.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) What is it? Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) happens when the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked. Symptoms • Chest pain or discomfort • Shortness of breath • Fatigue • Pain in the arm, neck, jaw or back Living with CHD • Take medication as prescribed • Stay active within your limits • Eat a heart-healthy diet • Attend reviews When should I seek urgent help? • Severe chest pain • Severe breathlessness • Pain spreading to the arm or jaw

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm condition that causes the heart to beat irregularly and sometimes faster than normal. Symptoms ❤️ Heart palpitations (feeling your heart racing, fluttering or pounding) ❤️ Feeling tired or lacking energy ❤️ Shortness of breath ❤️ Dizziness or feeling lightheaded ❤️ Chest discomfort ❤️ Some people have no symptoms at all Living with AF ❤️ Take medications as prescribed ❤️ Attend regular reviews and appointments ❤️ Stay active within your limits ❤️ Reduce smoking and alcohol where possible ❤️ Maintain a healthy lifestyle ❤️ Monitor any changes in symptoms Get urgent help if you have: 🚨 Severe chest pain 🚨 Severe shortness of breath 🚨 Feel faint or collapse 🚨 Symptoms that suddenly become much worse

Heart Failure Heart Failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. It means the heart is not pumping blood around the body as effectively as it should. Symptoms ❤️ Shortness of breath ❤️ Feeling unusually tired or weak ❤️ Swollen ankles, feet or legs ❤️ Feeling dizzy or lightheaded ❤️ Persistent cough or wheezing ❤️ Reduced ability to exercise or carry out everyday activities Living with Heart Failure ❤️ Take medications as prescribed ❤️ Attend regular reviews and appointments ❤️ Stay active within your limits ❤️ Keep an eye on changes in symptoms ❤️ Maintain a healthy lifestyle ❤️ Monitor your weight if advised by your healthcare team Get urgent help if you have: 🚨 Severe shortness of breath 🚨 Sudden chest pain 🚨 Rapid worsening swelling of the legs or abdomen 🚨 Feel faint, confused or very unwell

Angina Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. It is often triggered by physical activity or stress and usually improves with rest or medication. Symptoms ❤️ Chest pain, tightness or discomfort ❤️ Pain that may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back or shoulders ❤️ Shortness of breath ❤️ Feeling tired ❤️ Feeling sick or dizzy Living with Angina ❤️ Take medications as prescribed ❤️ Carry your medication if advised (such as GTN spray) ❤️ Stay active within your limits ❤️ Learn and avoid triggers where possible ❤️ Maintain a healthy lifestyle ❤️ Attend regular reviews and appointments Get urgent help if you have: 🚨 Chest pain that does not improve with rest or medication 🚨 Severe chest pain 🚨 Severe shortness of breath 🚨 Feel faint or very unwell

Heart Valve Disease Heart Valve Disease happens when one or more of the heart valves do not open or close properly, affecting how blood flows through the heart. Symptoms ❤️ Shortness of breath ❤️ Feeling unusually tired or weak ❤️ Dizziness or lightheadedness ❤️ Chest discomfort ❤️ Heart palpitations ❤️ Swollen ankles or feet Living with Heart Valve Disease ❤️ Take medications as prescribed ❤️ Attend regular reviews and appointments ❤️ Stay active within your limits ❤️ Maintain a healthy lifestyle ❤️ Monitor any changes in symptoms ❤️ Keep up with recommended tests and scans Get urgent help if you have: 🚨 Severe chest pain 🚨 Severe shortness of breath 🚨 Feel faint or collapse 🚨 Symptoms that suddenly become much worse

Arrhythmias Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms where the heart may beat too fast, too slowly, or irregularly. Symptoms ❤️ Heart palpitations (fluttering, racing or pounding heartbeat) ❤️ Dizziness or lightheadedness ❤️ Shortness of breath ❤️ Feeling unusually tired or weak ❤️ Chest discomfort ❤️ Feeling faint or episodes of fainting Living with Arrhythmias ❤️ Take medications as prescribed ❤️ Attend regular reviews and appointments ❤️ Stay active within your limits ❤️ Reduce smoking and alcohol where possible ❤️ Maintain a healthy lifestyle ❤️ Monitor any changes in symptoms Get urgent help if you have: 🚨 Severe chest pain 🚨 Severe shortness of breath 🚨 Feel faint or collapse 🚨 Symptoms that suddenly become much worse

Cardiomyopathy Cardiomyopathy is a condition that affects the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood around the body effectively. Symptoms ❤️ Shortness of breath ❤️ Feeling unusually tired or weak ❤️ Heart palpitations ❤️ Dizziness or lightheadedness ❤️ Swollen ankles, feet or legs ❤️ Chest discomfort Living with Cardiomyopathy ❤️ Take medications as prescribed ❤️ Attend regular reviews and appointments ❤️ Stay active within your limits and follow advice from your healthcare team ❤️ Maintain a healthy lifestyle ❤️ Monitor any changes in symptoms ❤️ Avoid smoking and reduce alcohol where possible Get urgent help if you have: 🚨 Severe chest pain 🚨 Severe shortness of breath 🚨 Feel faint or collapse 🚨 Symptoms that suddenly become much worse

Heart Health Looking after your heart can help reduce the risk of heart disease and improve your overall health and wellbeing. Ways to keep your heart healthy ❤️ Stay active and aim for regular movement ❤️ Eat a balanced, heart-healthy diet ❤️ Stop smoking if you smoke ❤️ Maintain a healthy weight ❤️ Try to manage stress and wellbeing ❤️ Get enough sleep ❤️ Attend health checks and reviews when invited Things to keep an eye on ❤️ Blood pressure ❤️ Cholesterol levels ❤️ Weight changes ❤️ Blood sugar levels if advised ❤️ Family history of heart problems Get urgent help if you have: 🚨 Severe chest pain 🚨 Severe shortness of breath 🚨 Chest pain spreading to the arm, neck or jaw 🚨 Feel faint or very unwell