Coronary Heart Disease is an umbrella term for conditions that narrow or block blood vessels (coronary arteries). This can lead to a heart attack, angina, and some strokes. Coronary heart disease also affects conditions that affect your heart muscle and valves or cause abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

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What are the symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease?

Symptoms of heart disease vary based on what condition you have and can include:

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• Chest pain

• Pain, weakness or numb legs and/or arms

• Breathlessness

• Very fast or slow heartbeat, or palpitations

• Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint 

• Fatigue

• Swollen limbs

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What increases my risk of Coronary Heart Disease?

A risk factor is something that increases the chance of getting a condition. The more you have, the higher your chance of CHD. Even if you can’t change all your risk factors, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.

There are several risk factors for CHD, including:

• Smoking

• Stress 

• High blood cholesterol

• Being physically inactive

• Sex - Men are more likely to get CHD earlier than women

• Family history of heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Alcohol

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How is Coronary Heart Disease diagnosed?

Diagnosis of coronary heart disease depends on your symptoms and what condition your doctor thinks you may have. Tests may be based on your family history and can include:

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• Blood Tests

• Chest x-ray

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

• Echocardiogram 

• MRI scan

• CT scan

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What is the treatment for Coronary Heart Disease?

Treatment will depend on your condition but usually includes:

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• Lifestyle changes

• Medications

• Angiograms

• Stents (Angioplasty)

• Heart surgery

• ICD

• Pacemaker

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More information:

For more information about Coronary Disease, you can find guides about Coronary Heart Disease by the British Heart Foundation or the NHS.