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How the heart works
This section is designed to help you understand how the heart works and what can go wrong. It cannot address every aspect of heart disease but is more of a general introduction to the most common problems that affect people.
Go to "How the heart works"
Preventing Heart Disease
This information journey provides details on ways to reduce the risk of heart disease through healthy living and by being aware of any risk factors you may have.
Topics cover the effects of smoking, cholesterol, obesity, alcohol intake and diet.
It can be useful for people who have not suffered from heart disease (primary prevention) or for people who have already suffered from heart disease and want to reduce their risk (secondary prevention).
Go to "Preventing Heart Disease"
Tests to investigate heart disease
There are many types of tests which can help diagnose heart disease. This section provides details of these.
Go to "Tests to investigate heart disease"
Angina
Angina is a symptom, not an illness in itself. It is the heart complaining that it is not getting enough oxygen during exertion or stress and is temporary.
The discomfort associated with stable angina will usually pass when you stop the activity that brought it on or after taking a Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) tablet or spray (medication to relieve the pain of angina).
Unstable angina is when angina attacks occur more frequently, with less and less activity. This may be an indication of a worsening condition and you should see your doctor urgently.
This information journey covers the symptoms and causes of angina, the tests and treatments for angina and how to manage angina.
Go to "Angina"
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, if untreated, can damage blood vessels and lead to serious problems including strokes, angina, heart attacks and heart failure. The good news is that by detecting high blood pressure and treating it, these problems can be prevented.
This information journey provides information about the symptoms and causes of high blood pressure and how it can be managed through lifestyle changes and medication.
Go to "High Blood Pressure"
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Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a condition which results in an irregular, and often fast, heart beat. The irregular beat, or arrhythmia, is caused by abnormal electrical impulses in the heart and can be a complication of a number of diseases.
Severe symptoms can be life-threatening but most people with AF have no or only mild symptoms.
This information journey provides information about the symptoms and causes of AF, the tests and treatments and how to manage AF.
Go to "Atrial Fibrillation"
Acute Coronary Syndrome (including Heart Attack)
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) describes a range of problems affecting the heart from unstable angina (a threatened heart attack) to an actual heart attack (myocardial infarction) depending on how much the arteries of the heart are blocked.
This information journey provides information about the symptoms and causes of ACS, the tests and treatments for ACS, recovery following ACS, cardiac rehabilitation and how to manage your risk of ACS.
Go to "Acute Coronary Syndrome"
Heart Failure
Heart Failure is a condition where the heart muscle has become weakened and is unable to pump blood around the body as efficiently as before.
This information journey provides information about the symptoms, causes, and drugs used to manage heart failure symptoms.
Go to "Heart Failure"
Air Travel Information
This section provides key information for people who want to fly following cardiac surgery or after being diagnosed with heart disease.
Go to "Air travel information"
Patient Stories
Some patient stories relating to heart disease.
Go to "Patient stories"
Support Groups
Details of cardiac support groups in Tayside.
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