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Cardiology | Counties Manukau | Te Whatu Ora
Public Service, Cardiology
Cardiovascular Disease
This refers to narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. The heart, like all other organs in the body, needs a constant supply of oxygen and energy. Narrowed arteries are unable to keep up with the demand needed to supply the heart muscle with blood. This can cause damage to the heart muscle if prolonged.
The most common symptom of this problem is chest pain that occurs when you exert yourself (angina). Typical angina chest pain is a heavy sensation in your chest associated with shortness of breath. It sometimes radiates to your arms and can make you feel like being sick, dizzy or sweaty. Not everybody experiences the same sensation and any one of those symptoms can represent angina. If your GP thinks you may have angina they will refer you for an assessment to plan treatment.
Am I likely to have cardiovascular disease?
- Are or have been a smoker
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- A family history of the disease
- Are older (your risk increases as you get older).
You will be given advice on diet changes that can protect the heart as well as stop smoking programs.
Depending on tests you may have procedures offered to surgically correct the narrowed blood vessels.
The Cardiology Department and your GP often share follow-up for this condition.
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This page was last updated at 11:46AM on February 19, 2024.