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Coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO)
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Coronary artery chronic total occlusion at HCA UK
Why choose us?
If you need treatment for coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO), our experienced cardiology consultants are here to care for you. At HCA UK, we have treated almost 110,000 cardiac patients in the last three years, achieving a 99% survival rate for all cardiac surgeries between 2022 and 2024.
Our cardiology consultants and multidisciplinary teams work closely to guide you towards the safest and most effective treatment. With advanced imaging, modern technology and high-quality facilities across our network of hospitals and diagnostic centres, you can feel confident you're in expert hands.
Our cardiology consultants and multidisciplinary teams work closely to guide you towards the safest and most effective treatment. With advanced imaging, modern technology and high-quality facilities across our network of hospitals and diagnostic centres, you can feel confident you're in expert hands.
Coronary artery disease occurs when fatty plaque builds up in your heart's arteries, making them narrower. This limits blood flow and can cause chest pain or in more serious cases, a heart attack. If an artery stays fully blocked for more than three months, it's called a coronary artery chronic total occlusion.
Chronic total occlusion symptoms vary from person to person. Some people with coronary heart disease, including coronary artery chronic total occlusion, don't experience any symptoms. When they do appear, the most common is angina, which may feel like:
- Heaviness, tightness or a dull ache in your chest during activity
- Discomfort spreading to your arm, back or neck
Other symptoms may include palpitations, breathlessness, tiredness or nausea.
A coronary artery chronic total occlusion can form when an artery slowly narrows over time and eventually becomes fully blocked. Several factors can increase the likelihood of this happening, these include:
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- A family history of heart disease
Your cardiology specialist will discuss any risks with you and take the time to listen to your questions, so you can make informed decisions about your care.
You can lower your risk of coronary artery chronic total occlusion by protecting your heart health through everyday choices. Giving up smoking, staying active, eating well and keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure under control all help.
Managing conditions like diabetes and attending regular heart check-ups also helps to reduce risk.
Managing conditions like diabetes and attending regular heart check-ups also helps to reduce risk.
The main risks of chronic total occlusion include persistent chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and an increased likelihood of heart failure due to restricted blood flow. While "collateral" vessels may form to bypass the chronic total occlusion, they are often insufficient, leaving the heart muscle vulnerable to arrhythmias and further cardiac stress.
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Tests and scans for coronary artery chronic total occlusion at HCA UK
Expert cardiac diagnosis
As part of your chronic total occlusion diagnosis, your consultant may recommend several tests to understand how your heart is functioning. This often begins with a simple blood test to check your cholesterol levels and may also include monitoring your blood pressure. Further tests for CTO may include:
Treatments for coronary artery chronic total occlusion at HCA UK
Personalised cardiac care, tailored to you
Traditionally, CTO symptoms were treated with open heart bypass surgery, but many cases can now be managed with minimally invasive techniques. Our cardiology consultants specialise in procedures that remove blockages or widen narrowed arteries to help restore healthy blood flow.
We offer a range of chronic total occlusion treatment options designed around your individual symptoms and heart health. These include:
- Lifestyle changes
- Medication management
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Angioplasty
- Stent insertion
- Coronary artery bypass 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 chronic total occlusion FAQs
No, not always. Depending on your unique circumstances and overall heart health, your cardiology consultant may recommend managing the condition with medication and lifestyle changes. You’ll be closely monitored by your cardiac team to assess your heart health, so they can make informed decisions about when further treatment may be beneficial.
CTO treatments are considered very safe and are routinely carried out. Like all medical procedures, there are small risks, but your cardiology consultant will explain these to you so you can make informed decisions about your cardiac care. You'll be closely monitored before, during and after your procedure to ensure everything is as expected.
Most people do not require open heart surgery as CTO can now be treated with minimally invasive techniques. Bypass surgery is only recommended when several arteries are affected or when other procedures are not suitable. Your cardiology consultant will take the time to discuss the options with you and answer any questions you may have.
How long it will take you to recover will depend on your treatment. For less invasive techniques, such as angioplasty, many patients are back to their daily routines in a few days.
Recovery from bypass surgery will take considerably longer, and your specialist cardiac team can advise on how long it will take and the things you can do to aid your recovery.
Recovery from bypass surgery will take considerably longer, and your specialist cardiac team can advise on how long it will take and the things you can do to aid your recovery.
Our treatments for coronary artery chronic total occlusion have excellent success rates. Many patients feel better and experience fewer symptoms straight away. Your cardiology consultant will explain what results are realistic for you and how factors such as the length of time the artery has been blocked and your overall heart health can affect the outcome.
Yes, follow-up care is an important part of staying well after your CTO treatment. You'll have regular check-ups so your cardiology consultant can review your symptoms, medication and heart health. During these appointments, you can ask questions and raise any concerns.
Our patient stories
Mr Aziz's blocked artery
Mr Aziz, 45, was struggling with breathlessness and fatigue due to a blocked coronary artery. Leading interventional cardiologists Professor James Spratt and Dr Jonathan Hill used a non-surgical procedure called a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to solve the blockage.
Hans's story
After years of cardiac troubles, a scan picked up that Hans’s aorta, the body’s largest artery, had swollen to six centimetres.
Steven's story
Steven, 58, has practiced as a property barrister for 30 years and always been as active as possible through regular exercise and healthy eating. He was incredibly aware of the need to have good heart health as a result of cardiac problems in his family history, and consequently was incredibly focused on keeping himself on top form. But just one health screen changed that.
“Exceptional up front consultation and clarity shared around the procedure itself and clear direction shared as part of after care. The procedure itself went perfectly, so I'm delighted and very grateful.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.