Heart
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- Chest pain
If in doubt about the cause of your chest pain, call an ambulance.
- Heart attack warning signs - Professor Ian Meredith (video)
With a heart attack every minute counts. The warning signs of a heart attack can be varied and may not always be sudden or severe. Find out more from cardiologist Professor Ian Meredith.
- Blood pressure
Healthy eating and lifestyle changes can help to manage high blood pressure.
- Chest pain
If in doubt about the cause of your chest pain, call an ambulance.
- Circulatory system
The heart, blood and blood vessels work together to service the cells of the body.
- Heart attack
Heart attack is an emergency. If you have warning signs of heart attack, get help fast. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
- Heart disease and stroke
Although blocked blood vessels can cause both coronary heart disease and some types of stroke, stroke is not the same as heart disease.
- Heart explained
The heart is about the size of a clenched fist and lies in the middle of your chest, behind and slightly to the left of your breastbone.
- Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD)
Stopping episodes of recurrent ARF can prevent rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
- Aortic stenosis
Aortic stenosis may be congenital (present from before birth), but is often diagnosed during teenage years.
- Chest pain
If in doubt about the cause of your chest pain, call an ambulance.
- Congenital heart disease
Some congenital heart defects are mild and cause no significant disturbance to the way the heart functions.
- Heart arrhythmias and palpitations
A heart that beats irregularly, too fast or too slow, is experiencing an arrhythmia.
- Heart attack
Heart attack is an emergency. If you have warning signs of heart attack, get help fast. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
- Heart condition - know your diagnosis (video)
This video explains some common heart procedures and provides questions to ask your doctor to ensure you understand what has happened to your heart.
- Heart conditions - angina
Angina attacks can be prompted by exertion or physical exercise, when the hard-working heart muscle requires greater amounts of oxygen.
- Heart conditions - atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of arrhythmia, which means that the heart beats fast and abnormally.
- Heart conditions - endocarditis
Endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves or the inner lining of the heart.
- Heart disease - enlarged heart
An enlarged heart isn?t a condition in itself, but a symptom of an underlying problem that is causing the heart to work harder than normal.
- Heart disease and stroke
Although blocked blood vessels can cause both coronary heart disease and some types of stroke, stroke is not the same as heart disease.
- Heart disorders (acquired) - children
Some children acquire a heart problem after an illness in childhood, and this is called an acquired heart defect.
- Heart failure
Heart failure is a condition where the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood to the rest of the body as well as it should.
- Heart health check - learn the risk factors (video)
Heart disease affects both women and men. Cardiologist Cathie Coleman from St Vincent's Hospital explains the risk factors for heart disease and what actions you can take to lower your risks.
- Heart murmur
Many children have innocent heart murmurs that don?t require any treatment, but medical tests are often needed to check.
- Long QT syndrome
You should be investigated for long QT syndrome if you faint for no apparent reason, during or after exercise or emotional excitement.
- Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a collection of conditions that can increase your risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
- Noonan syndrome
Noonan syndrome is a genetic condition that usually includes heart abnormalities and characteristic facial features.
- Pericarditis
Pericarditis symptoms may be similar to those of heart attack and include chest pain and abnormal heart rhythms.
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is characterised by attacks of rapid heart rate or tachycardia.
- Blood pressure (high) - hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can increase your risk of heart attack, kidney failure and stroke.
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
CPR is a life-saving skill that everyone should learn from an accredited organisation.
- Coronary angiogram
A coronary angiogram is the most accurate diagnostic test for a range of heart problems, including coronary heart disease.
- ECG test
A doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram for patients who may be at risk of heart disease because of family history, smoking, overweight, diabetes or other conditions.
- Heart bypass surgery
After heart bypass surgery, eat a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals and cold-water fish.
- Heart disease - angioplasty and stent procedures (video)
People with coronary heart disease talk about the medical procedures that followed their heart attack and diagnosis.
- Implantable cardiac devices
A person with an artificial cardiac pacemaker can live a normal life and can still perform moderate to strenuous activities.
- Organ and tissue transplantation
Transplantation varies depending on the transplant organ or tissue so speak with your medical team about surgical procedures, recovery and medications.
- Cholesterol - healthy eating tips
Replacing foods that contain saturated fats with foods that contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats will help to lower your cholesterol.
- Diet and heart disease risk
A diet low in saturated fats and high in fibre and plant food can substantially reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
- Heart disease - eating for a healthy heart (video)
Learn the three steps you can take to improve your heart health today.
- Heart disease and mental health
Did you know that your mental health can affect your heart health and vice versa? Depression can affect how well people with heart disease recover, and increase their risk of further heart problems.
- Reduce your risk of early death
You can dramatically reduce your risk of early death by making a few simple lifestyle changes.
- Walking for good health
Walking will improve your fitness and reduce your risk of heart disease.
- Blood pressure (high) - hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can increase your risk of heart attack, kidney failure and stroke.
- Cholesterol
Your body needs cholesterol, but it can make its own. You don't need cholesterol in your diet.
- Diabetes - long-term effects
The risk of most diabetes-related complications can be reduced.
- Heart attack and stroke – calculating your risk score
As part of a Heart Health Check, your doctor will calculate your cardiovascular disease risk score. Your risk score estimates your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years.
- Heart disease - know and manage your risk factors (video)
Over 700,000 Australian's are currently living with coronary heart disease. There are actions you can take to help prevent heart disease and to manage your life after a heart attack.
- Heart disease - know your risk
Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, diabetes, obesity, family history and age.
- Heart disease and mental health
Did you know that your mental health can affect your heart health and vice versa? Depression can affect how well people with heart disease recover, and increase their risk of further heart problems.
- Heart health check - learn the risk factors (video)
Heart disease affects both women and men. Cardiologist Cathie Coleman from St Vincent's Hospital explains the risk factors for heart disease and what actions you can take to lower your risks.
- Obesity
Overweight and obesity are essentially preventable diseases.
- Smoking and heart disease
A smoker's excess risk of heart attack reduces rapidly after only one year of not smoking.
- Heart condition - know your diagnosis (video)
This video explains some common heart procedures and provides questions to ask your doctor to ensure you understand what has happened to your heart.
- Heart disease - know and manage your risk factors (video)
Over 700,000 Australian's are currently living with coronary heart disease. There are actions you can take to help prevent heart disease and to manage your life after a heart attack.
- Living with a heart condition
Attending cardiac rehabilitation will help you to create a good foundation for living with your heart condition.
- Recovering from a heart attack
Make sure you follow your plan when you leave hospital, take your medication and keep your appointments with doctors.