A transoesophageal echocardiogram, usually shortened to TOE, is a detailed ultrasound scan of the heart taken from inside the oesophagus, the food pipe, which lies directly behind the heart. A thin, flexible tube with a small ultrasound probe on its tip is gently passed down the throat, in a similar way to a gastroscopy, so

Fluid retention, known medically as oedema, is the build-up of excess fluid in the body’s tissues, most often noticed as swelling in the ankles, feet, and lower legs. In many cases it is harmless and has a simple explanation such as standing for long periods, hot weather, a salty meal, or a long flight. But

High cholesterol means having too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol itself is not harmful. Your body needs it to build cells, make hormones, and produce vitamin D. The problem arises when there is too much of the wrong type circulating in the bloodstream, because over time it builds up

Brain fog and confusion are usually caused by things that have nothing to do with the heart, such as poor sleep, stress, dehydration, an underactive thyroid, certain medications, or simply doing too much. But the brain depends entirely on a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood, and it receives around 15 percent of everything the heart

Cardiomyopathy is a group of diseases that affect the heart muscle itself, changing how it contracts, relaxes, or conducts electrical signals. The word simply means disease of the heart muscle (the myocardium). In practical terms, cardiomyopathy makes it harder for the heart to pump blood efficiently around the body, either because the muscle becomes enlarged

What Is a Blood Pressure Monitor? A blood pressure monitor is a device that measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. It gives two numbers, both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). The first and higher number is the systolic pressure, the peak force when your

So, Why Does My Heart Race When I Lie Down? Feeling your heart racing when you lie down is a common and often unsettling experience. In most cases the sensation is harmless and has a straightforward physiological explanation. When you lie flat, more blood returns to the heart from the veins in your legs and

If you are looking for private cardiologists in Tunbridge Wells, the most important things to consider are who you will see, what tests can be done in one visit, how quickly you can be assessed, and whether the clinic accepts your medical insurance. Private cardiology offers faster access to specialist assessment than NHS routes, with

What Is the Difference Between a Stent and a Bypass? A stent and a bypass are two different procedures used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen. Both improve blood flow to the heart and relieve symptoms such as chest pain and breathlessness, but the

So, What Heart Conditions Might Back Pain Indicate? Back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a GP, and the vast majority of cases are caused by muscles, joints, discs, or nerves rather than anything to do with the heart. But in a smaller, important group of patients, back pain is a