Question 1

What heart conditions does adult cardiology treat?

Accepted Answer

Adult cardiology treats a broad range of heart conditions in grown adults, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, high blood pressure and its cardiac effects, arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms), and valve disease that develops with age or from other causes. This speciality focuses on the most common causes of heart disease in adults, distinct from congenital heart conditions present from birth, which are managed by paediatric or adult congenital heart disease specialists.

Question 2

What are the warning signs of a heart attack that need immediate emergency care?

Accepted Answer

Warning signs include chest pain or pressure, often described as tightness or squeezing, which may spread to the arm, jaw, neck or back, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, and lightheadedness. Women may sometimes experience less typical symptoms, such as unusual fatigue, indigestion-like discomfort, or back pain, rather than classic chest pain. If you or someone near you experiences these symptoms, call emergency services immediately rather than driving yourself to the hospital, since prompt treatment significantly affects heart attack outcomes.

Question 3

How is coronary artery disease diagnosed and managed?

Accepted Answer

Coronary artery disease is diagnosed using tests including ECG, stress testing to see how the heart performs under exertion, echocardiography, and, when needed, a coronary angiogram to directly visualise the arteries. Management combines lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise and smoking cessation, with medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol and reduce clotting risk, and, for significant blockages, procedures like angioplasty with stenting or bypass surgery. Ongoing management focuses on both treating existing blockages and preventing further disease progression.

Question 4

What lifestyle changes most effectively reduce cardiovascular disease risk?

Accepted Answer

The most impactful, evidence-based changes include quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, staying regularly physically active, eating a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains while limiting saturated fat and salt, and managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol through both lifestyle and, when needed, medication. Managing stress and getting adequate sleep also play a supporting role in overall cardiovascular health. These changes meaningfully reduce risk even in people with existing heart disease, not just for prevention.

Question 5

How is heart failure managed on an ongoing basis?

Accepted Answer

Heart failure management combines medications to help the heart pump more effectively and reduce fluid buildup, lifestyle measures such as limiting salt intake and monitoring daily weight to catch fluid retention early, and regular follow-up to adjust treatment as needed. For some patients, specialised devices like pacemakers or, in more advanced cases, other cardiac devices may be recommended. With consistent, well-managed treatment, many people with heart failure maintain a good quality of life and stable symptoms for years.

Adult Cardiology