Cardiovascular Features

Aortic stenosis is one of the most common valvular abnormalities in the older patient. It is a pathological narrowing of the aortic valve which results in restriction of blood flow across the valve.

The aetiology of anaemia in patients with chronic heart failure is multifactorial and therefore difficult to treat. Treatment depends upon the cause and severity of anaemia as determined by investigations. 

Patients with chronic heart failure and anaemia present many diagnostic and management dilemmas. This article discusses the importance of a thorough investigation of the patient.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as Takotsubo syndrome, is a temporary condition where your heart muscle becomes suddenly weakened or ‘stunned’. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has now gained world-wide acceptance as a distinctive clinical and pathological condition. The prognosis is good with recovery in two to four weeks.

Orthostatic hypotension—also called postural hypotension—is a form of low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down. This article reviews current advances in the area.

Cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation programmes are a multi-facet intervention that is offered to patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease. The programme is usually delivered over a 6-12-week period by a multi-disciplinary team focusing on the prescription and up-titration of cardio-protective medication, smoking cessation, diet, physical activity and psychological support.

Subclinical or ‘silent’ atrial fibrillation is the occurrence and detection of subclinical asymptomatic episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Research interest has grown in the clinical relevance of atrial fibrillation at an early stage.

Prescriptions for antiplatelets and anticoagulation have never been higher; however, difficulties arise when stopped due to surgery or other procedures with no consensus on length of cessation or bridging therapies. We have searched the literature to create guidelines on cessation and bridging for physicians and surgeons prior to procedures.

There has been recent debate on how to place current research assessing different targets of blood pressure therapy into a real-world context. This article summarises the main clinical studies in this area and illustrates how the current evidence base can be used to guide treatment decisions. It also highlights those patient groups where the evidence does not extend.

Heart failure rates are continuing to rise in the UK, mainly due to improved survival in people with coronary heart disease, particularly after myocardial infarction, and improved use of evidence-based therapies.