Ischaemic heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle become narrowed, most commonly due to a build up of fatty plaque. This can reduce blood flow to the heart, particularly during exertion.
Assessment typically combines clinical history and ECG with, depending on your symptoms, an exercise stress test, stress echocardiogram or cardiac CT, to evaluate the extent of any narrowing and its impact on heart function.
Management focuses on reducing risk factors, adjusting medication where needed, and regular monitoring, in coordination with your GP. In some cases, your cardiologist may discuss referral for further interventional procedures.
This service is for patients with a known or suspected diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease requiring ongoing specialist assessment and management, generally following referral from a GP or after an initial cardiac event has been stabilised.
Common symptoms include chest discomfort or pain, particularly during exertion, breathlessness and fatigue, though some people have no symptoms until a test reveals the condition.
Severe, new chest pain, or chest pain accompanied by breathlessness, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to your arm, jaw or back, should be treated as a possible heart attack. Call 000 immediately rather than waiting for a scheduled review.
Many patients are managed effectively with medication and risk factor control, though this depends on the severity and location of any narrowing.
Common tests include ECG, exercise stress testing, stress echocardiography and cardiac CT, the right combination depends on your individual symptoms and risk factors.
If your GP has recommended specialist assessment or ongoing management of ischaemic heart disease, ask them to send a referral directly to BK Heart.
