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Coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) happens when the insides of the blood vessels leading to your heart become narrow, so your heart can’t get enough blood to do the work it needs to do. This is also called coronary artery disease.

When your heart can’t get enough blood, you may get pain in your chest or even a heart attack. Without treatment, this type of heart disease will get worse, and you may not be able to lead an active life.

Many risk factors can raise this chance of getting CHD. Some risk factors cannot be changed:

  • Being older
  • Having a family history of heart diseaseSome risk factors can be changed:
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure, or hypertension
  • High cholesterol
  • Not exercising enough
  • Being very overweight or obese
  • Diabetes

How do I know if I have CHD?

Angina is a type of chest pain which happens when your heart does not get enough blood to do its work. It is not a heart attack and doesn’t cause long lasting damage. Most people with CHD have stable angina – they often know what causes pain and when they are about to have it. The most common causes are:

  • Exercise or hard work
  • Worry or stress
  • Being very hot or very cold
  • Eating a big meal
  • Smoking

Call your GP straight away if you have chest pain for the first time, or if it happens more or lasts longer. Call 999 right away if you think you are having a heart attack, or ask someone to drive you to the hospital if you cannot call 999.

How can Birmingham OwnHealth help me with my CHD?

With the support of your Care Manager, you can:

  • Know when to call for help
  • Learn about your CHD and set goals
  • Take your CHD medications correctly
  • Get the tests and services you need
  • Take steps to control your CHD
  • Make lifestyle changes to feel better
  • Learn ways to solve problems
  • Keep your appointments

Useful links

  • Equip
    NHS website with links to information-rich websites and a list of support groups and services related to heart disease. The websites have been accredited by staff at NHS West Midlands and are aimed at the public.
  • Smokefree West Midlands
    NHS stop smoking advice and support in Birmingham.
  • Heart UK
    The UK’s cholesterol charity, helping to prevent premature deaths caused by high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
  • Heart Research UK
    News, grants information and advice on keeping your heart healthy from this national charity.
  • British Cardiac Patients Association
    Support, reassurance and practical advice for patients, their families and carers.
  • British Heart Foundation
    Charity fighting heart and circulatory disease, funding research, education and life-saving equipment and helping heart patients, including local Cardiac Support Groups.
  • Birmingham LINk
    Birmingham Local Involvement Network (LINk) helps local people and organisations to speak with one voice, influencing key decision makers in improving health and social care service provision across the city. You can support Birmingham LINk by becoming an active member and letting them know about the issues affecting your community.