heart overview for patients

Overview

Your heart is a strong, fist-sized muscle that pumps blood around your body. It works like a pump: each beat sends blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to every part of your body and then brings back blood that needs more oxygen. Keeping your heart healthy is important for your overall health.

Heart disease is very common. In the UK, around 7.6 million people live with heart and circulation disease. It affects people of all ages, but the risk increases as you get older.

Heart conditions can affect anyone, including children, but they become more common with age. Some types of heart disease run in families. Lifestyle factors like smoking, a poor diet, and lack of exercise also increase your risk.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing, fluttering, or skipping a beat)
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet (oedema)

Symptoms in children

• Difficulty feeding or poor weight gain
• Tiring easily during play or activity
• Bluish colour of the skin, lips, or nails (cyanosis)
• Rapid breathing or shortness of breath

Symptoms in older adults

• Chest pain that is less sharp or feels like pressure or indigestion
• Fatigue that is out of proportion to activity
• Confusion or dizziness (sometimes the only sign)
• Shortness of breath during everyday activities

Causes

Main causes

• Coronary artery disease – fatty deposits (plaque) narrow the arteries that supply blood to your heart
• High blood pressure (hypertension) – strains your heart and blood vessels
• Heart muscle problems (cardiomyopathy) – the heart becomes enlarged, thick, or stiff
• Heart valve disease – valves do not open or close properly
• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) – electrical signals in the heart malfunction

Risk factors

• Smoking or using tobacco
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Being overweight or obese
• Lack of physical activity
• Unhealthy diet high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Family history of heart disease at a young age

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have chest pain that does not go away after resting for a few minutes – call your local emergency number
• If you have a very fast or very slow heartbeat that makes you feel weak or faint
• If you have sudden shortness of breath or swelling in your legs

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, even without symptoms
• If you have a family history of heart disease, especially at a young age
• For regular check-ups as you get older (over 40 in the UK you can get an NHS Health Check)

Diagnosis

Your doctor will start by asking about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. They will listen to your heart with a stethoscope, check your blood pressure, and may order tests.

Tests that may be done

• Blood tests to check cholesterol, sugar, and other markers
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) – records the electrical activity of your heart
• Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) – shows how well your heart is pumping
• Exercise stress test – see how your heart works when under stress
• Coronary angiography – a special X-ray to see blockages in arteries (done in hospital)

What to expect at your appointment

Most tests are painless and non-invasive. You may need to arrange transport to and from the hospital if a procedure requires sedation. Your doctor or nurse will explain each step.

Treatment

Treatment for heart disease depends on the specific condition, but often includes lifestyle changes, medicines, and sometimes procedures or surgery. The goal is to manage symptoms, slow the disease, and lower the risk of complications.

Self-care at home

• Eat a heart-healthy diet – lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins; limit salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats
• Get regular physical activity – aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week (walking, cycling, swimming)
• Quit smoking – your GP can help with support programs
• Limit alcohol
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques or talking to someone

Medical treatments

Medicines are often used to control high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, or manage heart rhythm problems. Your doctor will prescribe the ones that are right for you and explain how to take them. Do not change or stop any medicine without talking to your doctor.

When is surgery considered?

If medicines and lifestyle changes are not enough, you may need a procedure such as angioplasty with a stent to open blocked arteries, or coronary artery bypass surgery to reroute blood flow. Heart valve repair or replacement may also be needed. Your specialist will discuss the options with you.

Living with this condition

Living with a heart condition means learning to listen to your body. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed, attend regular check-ups, and let your doctor know about any new or worsening symptoms. Keep a record of your blood pressure or weight if suggested by your care team.

Lifestyle tips

• Join a cardiac rehabilitation programme – it offers exercise, education, and support
• Learn to recognise symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath and know what to do
• Avoid heavy physical exertion if you have unstable symptoms
• Consider wearing a medical ID bracelet if you have a serious condition

Diet and exercise

A heart-healthy diet includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats like those in olive oil and nuts. Limit red meat, processed foods, and salty snacks. Exercise helps strengthen your heart – start slowly and build up. Walking is a great start for most people.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

A heart condition can feel overwhelming and cause anxiety, stress, or depression. These feelings are normal and treatable. Talk to your doctor if you feel down or worried – counselling or support groups can help a lot.

Prevention

Many types of heart disease can be prevented or delayed by making healthy choices. Quitting smoking, eating well, keeping active, managing stress, and controlling conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes all help.

Vaccines

Vaccines such as the flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine are recommended for people with heart disease because they reduce the risk of serious infections that can strain the heart.

Screening programmes

If you are over 40 in the UK, you can request an NHS Health Check every five years. This checks your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors. If you have a family history of heart disease, your doctor may recommend earlier checks.

Complications

If left untreated

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
• Stroke
• Heart failure – the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet your body's needs
• Irregular heart rhythms that can be dangerous
• Sudden cardiac arrest

Long-term outlook

Thanks to advances in treatment and early detection, many people with heart conditions live full, active lives. By following your treatment plan, making healthy changes, and working with your healthcare team, you can often control the condition and reduce risks. Staying hopeful and proactive makes a big difference.

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