Treatment options for heart conditions

Heart conditions and their treatment options

• Coronary Artery Disease icon plus

  Over time, coronary arteries can become narrowed or blocked by a build-up of atheroma (plaque). When this happens, less blood flows through the arteries, which can lead to shortness of breath, chest pain and even heart attacks. Although a serious condition, there are a number of interventional treatment options available at The Harley Street Clinic. 

  Our cath labs, one of the first of their kind in the country, remain at the core of our cardiac centre and within them we regularly carry out a number of procedures to widen or unblock impacted arteries. Patients can even access innovative treatments for coronary artery disease such as Shockwave therapy, which can be used to break down hardened atheroma (plaques).

• Arrhythmias icon plus

  When the heart beats too fast, too slowly or with an irregular rhythm, this is often a sign of an arrhythmia. Although arrhythmias are fairly common, they can be serious and must be carefully monitored and treated. Although medication and positive lifestyle changes can make a difference, your consultant may recommend implanting a pacemaker, a defibrillator or a form of ablation therapy to correct abnormal heart rhythm. 

  Whatever treatment you require, our consultants and specialist cardiac nurses can provide you with the highest standard of care available. We use the latest diagnostic tools to identify arrhythmias and help guide treatment, including Zio Patches and Holter Monitors. The Harley Street Clinic was one of the first sites to carry out minimally invasive techniques such as catheter ablation in the early 1990s and our consultants continue to lead the field of intervention for arrhythmia management. 

• Structural Heart Disease icon plus

  If the arteries act like pipes carrying blood and oxygen around your heart, then the valves, walls and muscles are the bricks and mortar that make up the very foundations of your heart. The diseases that impact them may be congenital or they may develop with age but regardless, they can be complex to treat. 
  
  Our purpose-built cath labs and theatres are been developed to best equip our interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons in performing open-heart surgeries such as valve repair or replacement as well as the latest minimally invasive transcatheter procedures, such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implants (TAVI) or minimal access mitral valve repairs.
  
  

  What happens when you come in for a TAVI?

  A TAVI is a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery for treating narrowing of the aortic valve. It is a common choice for patients who may not be suited to keyhole or open heart surgery and involves placing a new artificial valve inside the old valve using a catheter inserted through the groin or arm.

  At The Harley Street Clinic we pride ourselves on having a well-established TAVI programme, which has been developed over the years to provide the most seamless and efficient service possible for our patients.

  Our cardiac nurses are trained in TAVI procedures and we even have a regular dedicated TAVI multidisciplinary team meeting so patients benefit from the wealth of experience and expertise held by our specialist team.

• Genetic diseases icon plus

  Genetic heart defects are inherited from family members, although our relatives can sometimes pass on faulty genes even when they don’t develop signs or symptoms themselves. One commonly inherited condition is cardiomyopathy, which damages the walls of the heart chamber and makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood. Defects such as these can be fatal if left untreated so fast and accurate diagnosis is crucial.

  Medication can be used to manage genetic diseases, but surgical options may be recommended. The Harley Street Clinic has a long history of carrying out the most complex and life-saving treatments, , and we can also undertake familial screenings to give you and your relatives the support you need to managing genetic conditions effectively. 

• Congenital diseases icon plus

  1 in 150 children in the UK are born with a heart defect, and sadly many will require lifelong care and support to manage their condition. The Harley Street Clinic treats the full range of congenital cardiac conditions in adults, including obstructive, cyanotic and septal defects as well as hypoplasia. 

  Our excellent links with the nearby Portland Hospital for Women and Children, the only independent hospital in the UK specialising in paediatric congenital heart treatments, allow us to offer patients integrated care as they transition into adulthood, with a team of experts familiar with their needs and their condition supporting them throughout their lives. As well as treating adults, we are also proud to offer highly-specialised, low-dose radiation scans for paediatric patients with congenital heart conditions.

• Vascular disease icon plus

  Vascular diseases impact the arteries, capillaries and veins that circulate blood around the body, which means that vascular conditions can affect all parts of your body, including your heart and brain. 

  At The Harley Street Clinic our vascular surgeons can treat everything from leg ulcers to complex thoracic aneurysms and our theatres are well-equipped to tackle the spectrum of complexity. In many cases, our team can perform minimally invasive keyhole surgery, such as endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), to provide the patient with a faster recovery time.