What is the difference between heart disease, heart attack and heart failure?

Dr Sukhjinder Nijjer explains the various treatments available for heart attacks.

A video walk through of the coronary catheter laboratory at West Middlesex Hospital, Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Nijjer describes the environment of the Cardiac Catheter Lab. It can be a frightening thought when you are going to have an angiogram procedure, but Dr Nijjer will explain what the room will look like and what the procedure involves. Knowing more about the procedure will help you feel calmer and more relaxed when it comes to having the procedure.

Dr Sukhjinder Nijjer explains whether stress can be associated with cardiovascular disease.

Dr Nijjer talks about PCI / Angioplasty for patients with angina and for those having a heart attack. Patients with stable angina are typically managed with medications initially and may undergo investigations to look for ischaemia (a lack of blood supply). If there is evidence of ischaemia or a significant burden of heart artery disease then performing a coronary angiogram can help identify the cause. In the modern era, we may perform a measurement of blood flow using a pressure wire. If this shows reduced blood flow, then coronary angioplasty with stenting (known as PCI) can be appropriate.

Here, Dr Nijjer discusses the role of rapid chest pain clinics in investigating and treating people who develop chest pain suspicious of a cardiac illness.

Dr. Nijjer discusses in general terms the reason why a patient may decide to have a percutaneous intervention (PCI) or open coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The decision for either treatment option is complex and can involve many factors. Patient factors such as the presence of diabetes or prior stroke or heart damage can be important. Technical factors involving the number of stents needed or the complexity of the procedure are also important. Finally, the decision can be shared between the patient, the Cardiologist and the Cardiothoracic Surgeons.