Heart disease is a group of conditions that affect the heart differently, such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure. These conditions affect the cardiac muscle tissue and valves. They can also cause arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).

These conditions are not reversible or curable but are manageable with the appropriate treatment. Most people can prevent these by making lifestyle changes, though some types are not preventable.

Symptoms differ depending on the type of heart condition you have and how severe it is. You may experience angina (a type of chest pain), chest tightness, muscle weakness, palpitations, and oedema (swelling). You might also feel dizzy or lightheaded, breathless, and tired. Women, people with diabetes, and older people may be less likely to feel chest pain or may feel minor pain. 

If you have an arrhythmia, you might have low blood pressure, tachycardia (a fast heartbeat) or bradycardia (a slow heartbeat). Some people experience cardiac syncope (fainting) or a fluttering feeling in their chest. Read our blog to find out more: Heart disease symptoms and early warning signs.

Gender differences

Women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) may have slightly different and less obvious symptoms. For example, women may feel anxious or sick and have back pain, neck pain, or indigestion.

We can use a variety of tests to diagnose one of these conditions, depending on which we suspect. First, our specialist will perform a physical exam, ask about your symptoms, such as their severity and how long you’ve had them, and discuss your medical and family history to determine possible causes.

Then, we will recommend appropriate tests, which can include: 

• Exercise stress tests, such as a stress echo 
• An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) 
• Holter monitor (portable ECG) 
• An echocardiogram (echo) 
• Cardiac MRI or CT scans 
• A tilt table test 
• Chest X-ray 

If we cannot confirm your diagnosis using these tests, we may suggest a more invasive one; for example, cardiac catheterisation and coronary angiogram, which allow us to find blockages in your coronary arteries.

If your condition remains untreated and poorly managed, you may experience a complication due to the damage it causes. These complications can be other forms of heart disease; they include heart failure, heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, pulmonary embolism, peripheral artery disease, and sudden cardiac arrest.

Ensure you follow your treatment plan and your heart specialist’s recommendations to avoid these. If you think your treatment is not working, contact our clinic for an assessment or to discuss other options.

Drinking alcohol excessively or binge drinking can cause heart damage and increase your blood pressure. However, drinking moderate amounts of red wine has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, but more research on this is needed. We explain this further here: Alcohol and heart disease: How are they related?