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Special care

Chiesi focusses on the treatment and care of patients suffering from chronic severe conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, solid organ transplantation and ulcerative colitis

Cardiology

Organ transplant

Ulcerative colitis

Cardiology

Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels. It includes coronary artery disease, stroke and transient ischaemic attack (known as a mini stroke), peripheral arterial disease and aortic disease.1 Approximately 7.6 million people in the UK live with cardiovascular disease.2

Coronary artery disease occurs when the flow of blood carrying oxygen is limited or blocked from the heart, which can cause chest pain (angina) or heart failure.1,3

Coronary artery disease can also cause a heart attack. When there is some loss of blood supply to the heart, this is called a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and if there is loss of blood flow for a long time, this is called a ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).1,3,4

Factors that increase the risk of developing coronary artery disease include:1,3

Being overweight

Lack of exercise

Smoking

Unhealthy eating

Family history of heart disease

Coronary artery disease can be diagnosed through a series of tests that assess lifestyle and risk factors for developing the disease. Additional measurements of heart function include:3

  • Electrocardiogram: a non-invasive test monitoring the electrical activity of the heart
  • Echocardiogram: a scan used to get an image of the heart and blood vessels
  • Blood tests: to measure the contents of the blood
  • Coronary angiography: a special dye and X-rays are used to see how blood flows through the arteries

Further support and resources

Several charities and organisations across the UK are devoted to helping individuals with heart disease, promoting awareness, fundraising and offering support.

For resources to support you managing your condition:

Patient Resources

If you’re a patient, or a carer of a patient, who has been prescribed one of our products, you’ll find information and resources to help manage your condition here

Access resources

References

  1. NHS. Cardiovascular disease. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiovascular-disease/.
  2. British Heart Foundation. Facts and figures. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/contact-the-press-office/facts-and-figures.
  3. NHS. Coronary heart disease. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease/.
  4. NHS. Heart attack diagnosis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-attack/diagnosis/.