Understanding Your Heart: A Guide to Cardiac Health

Your heart is much more than a symbol of love — it's a powerful engine that keeps your entire body running. Here is how the heart functions and how we can prevent disease with proactive health screening.

How the Cardiovascular System Works

The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood through arteries to tissues and organs, then receives oxygen-poor blood back through veins to be re-oxygenated in the lungs. Its rhythm is set by the sinus node, a natural pacemaker that generates the electrical impulse driving the pulse. A malfunction anywhere — muscle, valves, electrical rhythm or vascular system — can lead to disease.

Common Cardiac Conditions

Heart Disease

A broad term for conditions affecting the heart's structure and function. Usually diagnosed via an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart's structure and pumping ability.

Heart Failure

Occurs when the heart isn't pumping effectively, causing fatigue and shortness of breath. Serious and progressive — far better to prevent through screening and lifestyle.

Ischaemic Heart Disease

Coronary artery disease — the vessels supplying the heart narrow or block, limiting oxygen and risking a heart attack. Largely preventable through monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol and heart function.

Valve Disease

Damaged valves disrupt blood flow and may lead to heart failure. Diagnosis via echocardiogram and cardiology review.

Arrhythmia

An irregular heartbeat — too fast, too slow or erratic. Often diagnosed with an ECG and treated with medication or a simple day-case procedure.

Early Detection and Prevention

• ECG — to monitor electrical activity
• Echocardiogram — ultrasound of heart structure and function
• Stress test — how the heart performs under strain
• Blood tests — cholesterol and other risk markers
• 24-hour ECG and blood pressure monitoring

Our complete cardiac health check covers all of the above, reviewed by our in-house cardiology consultant.