Following a detailed consultation and any necessary investigative tests, a management plan is provided for each patient. A management plan is individualized, as each patient is unique, but generally consists of:

• Dietary changes
• Modifying alcohol consumption
• Regular exercise
• Weight control

Treatment using medications (tablets) is individualized for each patient. Medications are used for a variety of reasons. In many cases they are used to improve symptoms and how patients feel. Medications can prevent complications of heart disease. They can slow the progression and even reverse some cardiac disease. In some cases medications are recommended to prevent problems from occurring later, even if patients do not feel unwell (e.g. in cases of high blood pressure). In other cases, medical therapy can prolong survival, keep patients feeling well and reduce their need to attend hospital.

A variety of procedures  are used for specific cardiac procedures.  These procedures/interventions are designed to improve symptoms, prolong survival, reduce the risk of death and reduce the need to attend hospital. They include:

• Ablation of arrhythmias – to permanently fix a variety of cardiac rhythm disorders/palpitations
• Cardioversion – to restore a normal heart rhythm
• Pacemaker – to treat slow heart rates, reduce the risk of dizziness and blackouts/fainting
• Defibrillator – to reduce the risk of sudden death in high risk patients
• Biventricular pacemaker – to treat severe heart failure, improve symptoms and prolong survival
• Extraction of pacemakers/defibrillators – to remove infected/non functional leads and devices
• Coronary artery stenting – to treat narrowed arteries
• Cardiac surgery – to treat a variety of cardiac conditions

Recent advances in cardiology/cardiac surgery:

• Percutaneous aortic valve replacement
• Percutaneous mitral valve replacements
• Atrial appendage occlusion devices
• Subcutaneous ICD insertion

This is a medically supervised, multidisciplinary service aimed at improving health, understanding and well being of patients with heart disease. It is commonly offered through hospitals for patients with heart failure and those with coronary artery disease.