CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Coronary artery disease
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
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CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, you’ll be looked after in state-of-the-art facilities by a team of leading specialists dedicated to your care. Our leading cardiac consultants have a wealth of experience and treat more cardiac patients than any other UK private healthcare provider, with a 99% success rate across all cardiac surgery.
So, when 99% of our patients say they trust us, you can trust them.
So, when 99% of our patients say they trust us, you can trust them.
A common condition that affects around 2.3 million people in the UK(1), coronary artery disease is the term used to describe a reduction of your heart's blood supply due to a fatty substance that can build up in your coronary arteries.
When your coronary arteries are constricted, they can't supply enough oxygen-rich blood to your heart. This is particularly true when your heart is beating harder than normal, such as during exercise. You may not notice this decreased blood flow at first but, as fatty plaques continue to build, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Pain radiating to the upper body, including shoulder, arm, back, jaw or teeth
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Feeling faint, lightheaded or dizzy
- Feeling sick (nausea)
It’s important to remember that not everyone experiences the same pains or symptoms. Women may experience different signs of coronary artery disease, including neck or jaw pain, shortness of breath, fatigue or nausea.
IMPORTANT: A completely blocked coronary artery can cause a heart attack. If you think you may be having a heart attack call 999 immediately.
Coronary artery disease can be brought on by high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, as well as lifestyle factors such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
It can cause serious complications without diagnosis or treatment, including heart attack if there's a complete blockage of blood flow. If you have any concerns, rest assured we can provide swift diagnosis and effective treatment as needed, including tailored advice on reducing your risk.
We recommend making some heart-healthy lifestyle changes to manage an existing condition or prevent you from developing coronary artery disease. These include:
- Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight (losing weight if necessary)
- Cutting down on alcohol
- Giving up smoking
- Trying to avoid or reduce stress
- Taking regular exercise, starting slowly and gradually building your activity level
Our coronary artery specialists can give you advice on the most impactful ways to manage any risk. If your consultant feels you may be at risk of coronary artery disease, they'll carry out a full assessment of your medical and family history and a physical examination including blood pressure, BMI and waist measurement.
Depending on the results, you may be referred for further tests (see below). If needed, we can recommend the best options for your comprehensive care within our extensive network, from risk factor management to medication and procedures.
26,000+
Cardiac patients treated every year
99%
Success rate across all cardiac surgery
200+
Cardiology consultants for you to choose from
Next-day appointments
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any one of 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham
Worried about your heart, but not sure what to do?
Get in touch and book a same or next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some advice?
Talk to a specialist and get the answers you’ve been looking for.
CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
Expert diagnosis, fast results
If you're worried you may be at risk of coronary artery disease, we have the UK’s most comprehensive private diagnostics network. You’ll have access to the very latest testing and imaging technology available, with results in as little as two working days.
Our experts will check for signs such as narrowed arteries, and help you understand and effectively manage your risk. We can refer you for tests including:
Our experts will check for signs such as narrowed arteries, and help you understand and effectively manage your risk. We can refer you for tests including:
- Blood tests
- MRI
- CT scans
- PET-CT scans
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram
- Coronary angiogram
CORONARY ARTERY TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
The UK’s No.1 for private cardiac care
We treat more cardiac patients than any other private healthcare provider in the UK. That means we carry out thousands of successful heart procedures every year, helping people just like you.
If you’re diagnosed with coronary artery disease, you’ll have access to our expert multidisciplinary teams, including leading cardiac specialists, experts in cardiac imaging and more. It’s this approach that has seen extraordinary outcomes for patients, and a 99% success rate across all cardiac surgery.
Our treatments for coronary artery disease include:
- Lifestyle changes
- Medications
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
- Stent surgery
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Coronary artery disease FAQs
Coronary angioplasty with stenting (also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)): Following an angiogram, a tiny balloon is used to inflate a narrow artery which is then held open by a stent (a small wire tube). This procedure can be used to treat the symptoms of coronary heart disease as well as heart attacks in emergencies.
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG): An artery from another part of your body (usually the chest, leg or arm) is ‘grafted’ above and below the blocked section of the coronary artery to divert the blood flow. This operation is carried out under general anaesthetic and takes between three and six hours. You may need more than one graft, depending on how severe your coronary artery disease is.
Coronary artery disease medications include the following:
Nitrates: Most people with stable coronary artery disease are prescribed a medicine called glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), which comes in spray form or as tablets that dissolve under your tongue. GTN works by dilating your arteries, reducing pressure on the heart muscle.
Beta blockers: These are sometimes prescribed to prevent angina attacks caused by coronary artery disease. Beta blockers slow down the heart by reducing the amount of adrenaline your body produces.
ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors: These drugs reduce blood pressure by helping to relax your veins and arteries making it easier for your heart to pump blood around the body.
Some people experience unpleasant side effects from ACE inhibitors, so they are prescribed Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) instead for the same purpose.
Statins, like atorvastatin: These are used to lower blood cholesterol, which helps prevent blockages in the blood vessels.
Calcium channel blockers: These prevent calcium from entering your arteries and heart, helping the blood vessels to relax and reducing blood pressure.
Blood-thinning medications: These medicines, including low-dose aspirin, help to thin the blood and prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with coronary artery heart disease.
Diuretics: These are medicines that make you pass more urine and help relieve the symptoms of coronary heart disease by flushing excess water and salts from your body.
You can find more detail by clicking through to the relevant tests and scans page from our diagnostics section above. For an overview, please see below:
Blood tests: These provide a range of information about your heart muscle by measuring the enzymes, cholesterol and proteins in your blood. You may have speciality cardiac blood tests as well as other blood tests that measure the health of your entire body and its potential impact on your heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): You’ll have sensors attached to your chest to measure the rate, rhythm and electrical activity of your heart. This is a painless test which usually only takes a few minutes to complete.
Echocardiogram: This uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your beating heart to check for weaknesses that may be caused by coronary artery disease or other conditions. This takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
Exercise ECG (cardiac stress test): This test measures how your heart responds to moderate exercise, for example, while walking on a treadmill. This test usually takes around half an hour with a consultant monitoring you. It also records your blood pressure.
Coronary angiogram (cardiac catheterisation): A small, flexible tube is inserted into your artery, at the top of your leg or in your arm and guided along it with a fine wire. Using a dye, a series of X-rays are taken to show any narrowing or blockages. As a next step, your consultant may carry out a coronary angioplasty.
Blood tests: These provide a range of information about your heart muscle by measuring the enzymes, cholesterol and proteins in your blood. You may have speciality cardiac blood tests as well as other blood tests that measure the health of your entire body and its potential impact on your heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): You’ll have sensors attached to your chest to measure the rate, rhythm and electrical activity of your heart. This is a painless test which usually only takes a few minutes to complete.
Echocardiogram: This uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your beating heart to check for weaknesses that may be caused by coronary artery disease or other conditions. This takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
Exercise ECG (cardiac stress test): This test measures how your heart responds to moderate exercise, for example, while walking on a treadmill. This test usually takes around half an hour with a consultant monitoring you. It also records your blood pressure.
Coronary angiogram (cardiac catheterisation): A small, flexible tube is inserted into your artery, at the top of your leg or in your arm and guided along it with a fine wire. Using a dye, a series of X-rays are taken to show any narrowing or blockages. As a next step, your consultant may carry out a coronary angioplasty.
Our patients' stories
Kirti's heart rhythm story
How a life-changing cardiac procedure stopped Kirti worrying about her heart health. Kirti first felt a heart palpitation back in 2016 whilst out shopping. After delaying seeking specialist advice, she sought the expertise of Dr Mike Koa-Wing, Consultant Cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, in 2020 after the palpations got worse. Here Kirti shares her story.
Treating Helaina's heart rhythm disorder
Helaina from Northamptonshire was just 16 when she began experiencing unusual symptoms, including shortness of breath and heart palpitations, which rapidly worsened. She was otherwise fit, healthy and a huge lover of the great outdoors, leading to her family to grow concerned.
How a valve replacement helped Steve breathe easy again
When Steve found out his breathlessness was caused by a narrowed aortic valve, he was terrified of the thought of the open-heart surgery that might be needed to treat it. But with the expertise of Professor Sagar Doshi at The Harborne Hospital, he learned he could have a ‘keyhole’ alternative called TAVI.
“From the receptionist, to the nurses, to the TAVI team, everyone was faultless and helped put me at ease.”
- (1) https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/coronary-heart-disease
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.