Cardiologist on heart disease and the signs to look out for

If we do not, we put ourselves at risk of developing life-threatening cardiovascular diseases.

There are around 7.6million people living with heart disease in the UK, and diseases of the cardiovascular system cause more than a quarter of all deaths.

To combat this, Dr Balazs Ruzsics, consultant cardiologist at Spire Cheshire Hospital in Stretton, discusses the main symptoms to look out for, how prevention can make all the difference and when to seek advice from a professional.

Q. What are the cardiac diseases people should be aware of?

A. Cardiac diseases are complex and impact the way your body functions in a number of ways, preventing the functioning and performance of your body’s most vital organ – the heart.

There are four common types of cardiovascular diseases. These include coronary heart disease, which occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle is blocked or reduced.

Strokes and transient ischaemic attacks happen when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.

A blockage in the arteries to the limbs, usually the legs, causes peripheral arterial disease, while the fourth type is aortic disease involving the largest blood vessel in the body, responsible for carrying blood from the heart.

Dr Balazs Ruzsics, consultant cardiologist at Spire Cheshire Hospital in Stretton

Q. What are the key signs and symptoms of these that people should look out for?

A. Symptoms that people need to be aware of include chest discomfort or pain, breathlessness, heart palpitations (very fast or slow heartbeat), feeling weak or numb in your legs or arms or feeling dizzy or faint

It is a harrowing statistic, but the British Heart Foundation emphasises that someone dies from disease in the heart arteries every eight minutes, which is why people need to become more aware of the symptoms and signs.

Although these symptoms may not always be due to a cardiovascular disease, knowing not to ignore them could save your life.

Do not neglect these symptoms and seek advice from your GP if you identify any or a combination of these sensations.

Q. How much does alcohol really impact our risk of cardiac diseases?

A. Heavy drinking is linked to severe heart conditions, such as heart failure caused by weakening of the heart muscle.

The entire cardiovascular system is affected by alcohol, and excessive alcohol intake can lead to high blood pressure, rhythm disorders, and the risk of a stroke.

Every individual shows different sensitivity levels to alcohol, and some alcohol-related cardiac conditions remain silent for a long time.

Cardiovascular health screening can help to identify hidden problems caused by your alcohol consumption.

Q. Is occasional social smoking something people should avoid to prevent cardiac disease?

A. Smoking cigarettes makes the walls of your arteries sticky from the chemicals, so fatty material can stick to them.

If the arteries that carry blood to your heart get damaged and clogged, it can lead to a heart attack.

That is why it is advised that all types of smoking, including social smoking, should be avoided.

Q. What types of foods are recommended for a healthy heart?

A. What makes a healthy diet is a complex question, and customised individual advice should always be given, depending on the heart condition found.

A balanced diet is usually recommended with plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Nuts, fish, whole grains, olive oil, vegetables and fruit are common recommendations to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Q. Does small amounts of low intensity activity such as walking really help prevent disease?

A. Regular low intensity exercise definitely helps to condition the heart and preserve its health, but the steps for prevention and level of exercise differ between individuals in each age groups.

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I highly recommend seeking cardiology-based advice from a GP or cardiologist.

At Spire Cheshire, we give customised advice which takes the individual’s history and unique physiology into consideration.

Q. When should I visit my GP?

A. The key is not to neglect cardiac symptoms and get all and any symptoms checked out as soon as they appear.

It is also important that individuals with a family history of cardiovascular disease, but who do not have any current symptoms, get checked out regularly.

Sometimes incidental findings can be caught and treated, preventing more severe and life-threatening cardiac problems later in life.

Spire Cheshire also offers a Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic led by myself, allowing you to get seen and treated as soon as a symptom arises.

To speak to an expert about your heart health, visit spirehealthcare.com/consultant-profiles/dr-balazs-ruzsics-c7088599/ or call 01925 215087.