Conditions and Procedures

A pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.

Symptoms include pain in the chest and/or pain in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back. It is sometimes described as an indigestion type pain. Other symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath.

Coronary Artery Bypass is often the surgical procedure used to treat angina.

An aortic aneurysm is a stretched or burst blood vessel with symptoms usually presenting as intense and persistent abdominal or back pain, frequently described as a tearing sensation.

It is commonly treated with aortic surgery which involves replacing the diseased section of the aorta with an artificial graft.

A highly complex operation often used to treat an aortic tear or rupture.

A tear in the inner layer of the large blood vessel branching off the heart (aorta). Blood surges through the tear causing the inner and middle layers of the aorta to dissect. It is relatively uncommon and generally occurs in men over 60s – however the condition is fatal if the tear is severe. When treated promptly the prognosis is much improved.

This is a surgical treatment for aortic root aneurysms caused by a diseased aortic valve. It involves replacing the root and aortic valve with a graft and a biological or mechanical valve prosthesis.

Chest pain has many and varied causes, from the more serious such as heart attack and lung problems to the milder and often resolving issues such as rib and nerve pain. Chest pain can be sharp or dull, burning or aching, stabbing or a tight, squeezing or crushing (like an elephant sitting on your chest). Only one in five people who present to an ED with chest pain are diagnosed with a heart attack or unstable angina. It is always best to investigate any type of chest pain and if it persists for longer than five minutes.

This is an ineffective heart muscle and means the heart’s power is weaker than normal, blood moves through the heart and body more slowly and pressure in the heart increases. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body’s needs.

Heart failure is caused by coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy (heart damage caused by infections or alcohol or drug abuse). High blood pressure, valve disease, thyroid disease and kidney disease are other causes. Symptoms include congested lungs, fluid and water retention, swollen ankles, weight gain, bloating, dizziness, fatigue, rapid or irregular heartbeat and weakness.

Cessation of smoking, reduced drinking, medication, weight loss, blood pressure and cholesterol medications and surgical procedures are among the most common treatments for congestive heart failure.

This is a surgical procedure that improves blood flow to the heart and treats plaque deposits – a waxy substance that builds up in the arteries.

Heart attack or Myocardial Infarction is a life-threatening condition. Symptoms include chest pain, uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, burning, tightness or pain in the centre of the chest.

There may also be numbness, pinching, prickling or a pain in the arms, back, jaw, neck or stomach. Shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea and flushes are other signs along with sudden heaviness or aching in both arms.

Women often experience the more subtle signs of heart attack (extreme fatigue, and breathlessness when hanging out the washing for instance) than the elephant on the chest type of pain that is more common in men. In fact, for many women who have a heart attack there is no chest pain. How do you know if your chest pain is a heart attack or something else? You don’t so if pain persists for more than five minutes have it investigated promptly or call 000.

This procedure refers to a procedure used to treat an enlarged aorta or aortic aneurysm and involves surgical removal of a section of the aorta and replacing it with an artificial graft.

An aortic aneurysm often presents as abdominal, chest or back pain however 50 per cent of patients have no symptoms and the aneurysm presents as an incidental finding on imaging such as CT scans. Aortic aneurysms require urgent attention as the risk of rupture or dissection is one in 10 – and this is a serious, life-threatening condition.

This is also called regurgitation, incompetence or leaky valve and occurs when a valve does not close properly and seal, resulting in some of the blood leaking backwards across the valve.

A surgical procedure to treat one of the four heart valves that control the one-way blood flow through your heart’s four chambers.

There are many reasons why you may need one or more of your heart valves repaired or replaced. Dr Meredith will discuss the best options for you. Most valves can be replaced with either a biological (tissue) valve or a mechanical heart valve. Please note that mechanical heart valves will require life long anti coagulant medication therapy.