All patients with established heart disease, (Heart attack, angina, coronary surgery etc) are encouraged to attand our annual Heart Clinics run by our specially trained Heart Nurse.
You will have a blood test prior to coming to the clinic and the Nurse will assess and discuss with you how to improve your lifestyle and minimise the risk of further problems. She will also refer you to your doctor for further care if needed.
The Surgery keeps a register of those patients with either established heart (coronary artery) disease or other significant circulatory problems and it is our aim to optimise the medical care of these conditions and where possible prevent the progression of disease. We advocate national as well as locally agreed guidelines for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and these include lifestyle measures such as not smoking, a suitable low fat diet, regular exercise and moderate alcohol intake. You should expect to have your blood pressure monitored, and treated if necessary, and may be prescribed other medications if appropriate.
We have a weekly Ischaemic Heart Disease Clinic which is managed by the Practice Nurse and is specifically intended to promote the care of patients with heart disease. Patients should expect to be seen annually in this clinic and will be sent appropriate appointments. If you have been discharged from hospital following a cardiac event (such as a heart attack or angina attack leading to a hospital stay, or cardiac surgery) you should receive an appointment. If you do not hear within two weeks after discharge from hospital please contact the Surgery.
If you are a new patient at the surgery and have a history of heart disease please let the receptionist know and she will put you in touch with the IHD clinic.
If you have known heart disease and experience an unexplained deterioration in your cardiac symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness which is not relieved by your usual treatment you should seek medical advice urgently; if there is likely to be a delay ring 999 for an ambulance to take you to hospital directly. If you do not have known heart disease but experience symptoms suggestive of a heart attack (chest pain, breathlessness, sweating, faintness) then you should seek immediate medical help or ring 999.
