Blog article
Heart disease: Symptoms, types, treatment and prevention
Covering much more than just heart attacks, heart disease is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect how the heart and blood vessels work. In this blog, we break down what heart disease is, what causes it, how to spot the symptoms, and what you can do to reduce your risk.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease refers to conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function. It’s often used interchangeably with cardiovascular disease (CVD), a broader term that includes both heart and blood vessel conditions such as stroke.1
The most common types of heart disease in Australia include:2
- Coronary artery disease: Also known as coronary heart disease or ischaemic heart disease, it is caused by a build-up of plaque in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle.
- Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats, which can be too fast, too slow, or erratic.
- Cardiac arrest: When an arrhythmia causes your heart to stop beating.
- Heart attack: When a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, cutting off blood supply to part of the heart muscle.
- Heart failure: When the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, often due to damage or strain over time.
- Valve disease: When one or more valves in the heart aren’t working properly.
What is coronary artery disease? A closer look
Coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease or ischaemic heart disease, occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked by a build-up of plaque. This reduces blood flow to the heart muscle and can lead to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. CAD is the most common form of heart disease in Australia and often develops slowly over time. While it can’t be cured, it can be managed with lifestyle changes, medication, and, in some cases, surgery.3
What is congenital heart disease?
Congenital heart disease refers to problems with the heart’s structure or nearby blood vessels that are present from birth. It’s the most common type of birth defect in Australia, affecting up to 1 in 100 babies. These defects can range from mild to severe and may involve holes in the heart, valve issues, or abnormal blood vessel development. Thanks to advances in treatment, many people with congenital heart disease now live long and active lives, though some may require ongoing care from a cardiologist.4
What is rheumatic heart disease?
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is permanent damage to the heart valves caused by one or more episodes of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), an abnormal immune response to a streptococcal infection such as strep throat. While RHD can follow a single bout of ARF, it's most often linked to repeated or severe infections. RHD is preventable with early treatment of strep infections and is more common in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, as well as migrants from countries where ARF remains widespread.5
What causes heart disease?
Heart disease usually develops over time due to a combination of risk factors. These include:6
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Physical inactivity
- An unhealthy diet
- Type 2 diabetes
- Being overweight or obese
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Depression, anxiety or social isolation
- A family history of heart disease
Some types of heart disease – such as congenital heart disease – are present at birth. Others, like rheumatic heart disease, are caused by infection and inflammation.4,5
Symptoms of heart disease
From chest pain to swollen ankles, heart disease can show up in many ways. Here are some symptoms to watch out for:7
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- A racing, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat (also known as palpitations)
- Fatigue
- Swollen feet or ankles
- Persistent cough
- Jaw pain or toothache
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Erectile dysfunction
- Leg pain or cramps when walking
- Poor sleep or sleep apnoea
Spotting the signs early may save your life. If you notice any of these symptoms, especially if they’re new, persistent, or unusual for you, book in for an appointment with your GP.
How to prevent heart disease
Many forms of heart disease are preventable. Making healthy lifestyle choices is the most effective way to reduce your risk:6
- Eat well: Focus on a heart-healthy diet with lots of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, lean protein, and healthy fats.
- Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days.
- Stop smoking: Every cigarette damages your blood vessels and heart.
- Limit alcohol: Drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week.
- Manage stress: Prioritise your mental wellbeing.
- Know your numbers: Get regular checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
How long can you live with ischemic heart disease (coronary heart disease)?
With the right care, many people with ischemic heart disease (coronary heart disease) can live long and active lives. But the condition does increase the risk of serious complications like angina, heart attack and heart failure. That’s why early diagnosis, regular check-ups and long-term management – including medication, lifestyle changes and sometimes surgery – are so important.3
How is heart disease treated?
Treatment for heart disease depends on the type and severity, but it usually includes:6
- Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking, eating better, exercising, and managing weight.
- Medications: To lower blood pressure or cholesterol, manage angina, or prevent blood clots.
- Surgery or procedures: Such as angioplasty and stenting, bypass surgery, valve repair or replacement, pacemakers or defibrillators.
- Cardiac rehabilitation: A supervised program to support recovery after a heart event.
Like any illness, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to heart disease. One of the most effective ways to stay ahead of heart disease is to book a Heart Health Check – a 20-minute appointment with your GP that assesses your risk of heart attack or stroke in the next five years. Covered by Medicare, your GP will check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, discuss your medical history and lifestyle, and work with you to create a plan to lower your risk.
What about coronary stents for stable angina?
Stents can be life-saving during a heart attack, but they’re not always the right option for people with stable angina – a type of chest pain that occurs with exertion and eases with rest. In fact, evidence suggests that stents offer no additional survival benefits over optimal medical therapy for stable angina, with lifestyle changes and medications effectively managing symptoms for most patients without the risks associated with stenting.8,9,10,11
When stents are placed in patients with mild or insignificant blockages, they may face unnecessary risks such as bleeding, heart attack, or stroke.12
Are coronary stents the best choice for stable angina?
How can HBF help?
If you’re living with a heart condition or at risk, we’re here to support you. Eligible HBF members may have access to:
- Hospital cover for heart-related procedures such as bypass surgery or angioplasty
- Extras cover that includes services like dietetics, psychology, and exercise physiology
- Health support programs to help you improve your lifestyle and manage your risk factors
Log in to myHBF or call 133 423 to check your level of cover, or speak to your GP about getting started with a Heart Health Check today.
