GENERAL PATIENT INFORMATION
Wessex Cardiology LLP recommends the British Heart Foundation and the BBC as sources of information for patients with heart disease and their carers. In addition, the American College of Cardiology of which two of our partners are Fellows, have a dedicated patient website,Cardiosmart. You might also be interested in "Heart Care Partnership" a national representative body for patients and carers.
The British Heart Foundation website is an excellent source of information about all things related to your heart including: prevention, symptoms, tests, treatments and recovery.
The British Heart Foundation website is an excellent source of information about all things related to your heart including: prevention, symptoms, tests, treatments and recovery.
Symptoms
All of the following are common symptoms and concerns that are often due to nothing serious but can occasionally be due to serious underlying disorders of the heart that may need urgent treatment.
Breathlessness: Can be disorders of heart valves, the heart pumping function (heart failure), electric rhythm disturbances of the heart (abnormal heart rhythm) and narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart.
Chest pain: This can be due to angina, which is caused by narrowings of the arteries that supply the heart, which may need urgent assessment and treatment. It can also be a symptom of a heart attack.
Family history: Are you worried that there is a serious history of heart problems in your family and that you may need to be screened?
Palpitations: This is a very common problem that can often occur in people with normal hearts. However, there are serious disorders of the heart such as atrial fibrillation that require investigation and treatment.
Why worry unnecessarily when you can come and have a professional opinion and tests in pleasant surroundings at our private practice. This will reassure you that either nothing serious is wrong with your heart or if their is an opinion it can be dealt with in a timely manner to prevent further problems.
Breathlessness: Can be disorders of heart valves, the heart pumping function (heart failure), electric rhythm disturbances of the heart (abnormal heart rhythm) and narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart.
Chest pain: This can be due to angina, which is caused by narrowings of the arteries that supply the heart, which may need urgent assessment and treatment. It can also be a symptom of a heart attack.
Family history: Are you worried that there is a serious history of heart problems in your family and that you may need to be screened?
Palpitations: This is a very common problem that can often occur in people with normal hearts. However, there are serious disorders of the heart such as atrial fibrillation that require investigation and treatment.
Why worry unnecessarily when you can come and have a professional opinion and tests in pleasant surroundings at our private practice. This will reassure you that either nothing serious is wrong with your heart or if their is an opinion it can be dealt with in a timely manner to prevent further problems.
Consultations
You can be seen any day Monday-Friday in pleasant surroundings in our outpatient consulting rooms. You will be seen on a one-to-one basis with a consultant and have the time to have everything clearly explained to you. Any subsequent tests can then be arranged at a time to suit you. If necessary the consultants will arrange to see you for follow up appointments.
TESTS AND TREATMENTS FOR YOUR HEART
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY
Echocardiography involves using an ultrasound probe (similar to the type of scan pregnant ladies have to look at their baby) to study the structure and function of the heart in detail. This is a commonly performed test that most new patients would need when being seen for the first time. It is performed by a senior cardiology physiology measurement technician who specialises in doing this test.
Stress ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY
Stress Echocardiography is a test which uses ultrasound of the heart combined with a stress test (either exercise of a drug infusion which simulates the effect of exercise) to determine the blood flow to areas of the heart muscle and the presence and extent of scar tissue within the heart muscle. It is a sophistocated investigation which requires a high level of expertise to perform and interpret the results. Wessex Cardiology has consultants who have not only a high level of expertise in this area but also an international reputation for stress echocardiography. If you are undergoing this investigation, you can download an information sheet below.
| stress_echo_information.pdf |
Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TOE)
Occasionally Echocardiography does not give us clear enough pictures or information to assess your heart. In these circumstances you may need to have Transoesophageal Echocardiography, which involves swallowing an ultrasound probe so that it sits extremely close to your heart and much more detailed/clear images can be obtained. This is undertaken as a day case procedure with lots of medication to make you feel very sleepy and relaxed (sedation). We have dedicated endoscopy facilities which are utilised for Transoesophageal Echocardiography. Wessex Cardiology consultants undertaking this procedure have an international reputation in the field of echocardiogaphy.
Coronary Angiography
A coronary angiogram is a test done to look at the arteries that supply your heart. If is done under local anaesthetic and involves passing small tubes up to the heart via the wrist or leg. Often the doctor will give you some sedation to make you feel slepy and relaxed. Dye is injected into the arteries via these tubes and pictures taken, this enables doctors to look for narrowed segments, which may then need treating. This is usually a day case procedure meaning that you go home the same day after the test.
General patient information on Coronary Angiography is available on the British Heart Foundation website.
General patient information on Coronary Angiography is available on the British Heart Foundation website.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
This involves treating a narrowing through keyhole surgery. The procedure is very similar to coronary angiography, except a small wire is passed up the plastic tube across the narrowing in the artery in the heart. A ballon can be passed over this wire and used to stretch the narrowing. A small metal scaffolding tube is then placed in the same way and remains in the artery, stopping the narrowing from returning. This procedure is done via the leg or the wrist. You may go home the same day or be asked to stay overnight depending on your case.
General patient information on PCI, which is also known as Coronary Angioplasty or PTCA. You can also download our patient information leaflet below.
General patient information on PCI, which is also known as Coronary Angioplasty or PTCA. You can also download our patient information leaflet below.
| pci_information_leaflet.pdf |
Permanent Pacemaker
Pacemakers are most commonly required for patients with a history of collapse or dizzy spells, when ECG monitoring shows that this is due to a slow heart rate. A pacemaker comprises two main components, the “pacemaker box” which contains a battery and electrical circuit, and the pacing leads (usually one or two leads are required) which are passed along a blood vessel to the heart. The wires can sense when the heart beats normally and if the heart beats too slowly they can produce an electrical impulse to stimulate the heart. The pacemaker box is usually sited under the skin on the upper chest below the collar bone. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic with sedation if needed. Patients usually need to stay one night in hospital.
A new type of pacemaker, known as a biventricular pacemaker or cardiac resynchronisation therapy is available for certain patients with heart failure. This usually requires 3 leads and improves the timing of the heart which usually leads to improved quality of life and has been shown to prolong life. These pacemakers are only suitable for certain individuals; whether you would benefit from one of these devices should be discussed with your Consultant.
Further information on pacing can be found at the BHF website or the arrythmia alliance website.
A new type of pacemaker, known as a biventricular pacemaker or cardiac resynchronisation therapy is available for certain patients with heart failure. This usually requires 3 leads and improves the timing of the heart which usually leads to improved quality of life and has been shown to prolong life. These pacemakers are only suitable for certain individuals; whether you would benefit from one of these devices should be discussed with your Consultant.
Further information on pacing can be found at the BHF website or the arrythmia alliance website.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Many patients benefit from Cardiac Rehabilitation following heart surgery or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. More information on Cardiac Rehabilitation and where to find your local group.
Heart failure
Heart failure is a serious medical condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood around the body to fulfil all the body’s requirements. Patients typically present with a combination of breathlessness and fatigue and this may be associated with swelling of the ankles or the abdomen. Heart failure is a common condition which affects 1-2% of the UK population and becomes more common as patients grow older. The average age of a heart failure patient in the UK is 76 years but it can affect people of all ages. Heart failure is commonly due to a heart muscle weakness, which may have been caused by a heart attack or a more generalised muscle weakness (a cardiomyopathy). Valve disease (a leaking or narrowed valve) and high blood pressure can also lead to heart failure.
Whilst heart failure is a very serious condition, many treatment options are available including a variety of medications which have been shown to improve symptoms and make patients live longer. Certain patients will also benefit from specialised pacemakers (biventricular pacemaker or cardiac resynchronisation therapy), implantable defibrillators and a few patients may benefit from cardiac surgery. Patients often benefit from frequent careful monitoring and gradual changes in medications. With modern therapies, most patients can lead independent fulfilling lives.
Further information on heart failure
Whilst heart failure is a very serious condition, many treatment options are available including a variety of medications which have been shown to improve symptoms and make patients live longer. Certain patients will also benefit from specialised pacemakers (biventricular pacemaker or cardiac resynchronisation therapy), implantable defibrillators and a few patients may benefit from cardiac surgery. Patients often benefit from frequent careful monitoring and gradual changes in medications. With modern therapies, most patients can lead independent fulfilling lives.
Further information on heart failure
