Circulatory system

The circulatory system includes the blood, heart and blood vessels. It moves oxygen and nutrients around the body and removes carbon dioxide to help keep your body cells healthy.

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Heart

The heart pumps blood around the body to supply body cells with nutrition and oxygen. Find out about how it works and related health problems.

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Heart and cardiovascular conditions

Learn more about the conditions that affect your heart and cardiovascular system, such as high blood pressure, angina and heart disease.

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Heart surgery

Heart surgery is done in an emergency or if treatments don’t work or can’t be used. Learn about the procedures, including open-heart surgery.

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Anatomy

The human body has many different systems and organs that all serve different function. Learn more about the brain, heart, digestive system and other parts of the body.

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UpBeat app

UpBeat is an app for teenagers with heart conditions (15 to 19 years) who are starting to manage their lives and health care more independently. It is a tool that helps young people with childhood heart disease (CHD) to engage with the health care transition process (moving from paediatric to adult care) and the self-management of their condition.

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Blood and blood vessels

Blood flows through blood vessels to carry oxygen, nutrients and waste around the body. Find out about different types of vessels and role of blood.

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Electrocardiogram (ECG)

To find out how well your heart is working, your doctor may ask you to have an electrocardiogram (ECG). Learn more about it and why you may need an ECG.

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Cholesterol and lipid tests

Read about cholesterol (or lipid profile) blood tests, which look at cholesterol and other fats in your blood, and what the results mean.

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External cardioversion

An external cardioversion is a procedure to treat an abnormal heart rhythm. It involves connecting you to a defibrillator machine that gives a controlled electric shock to make your heart beat normally again.

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Trans-oesophageal echocardiogram (TOE)

A trans-oesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) is usually a safe and effective way of finding out more about a problem in your heart chambers and heart valves.

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Dietary fats

The body needs some fats and oils as part of a balanced diet. But some fats (unsaturated fats) are healthier than others (saturated and trans fats).

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Heart palpitations

When you have palpitations you are suddenly aware of your heartbeat. Read about the causes, related symptoms and what to do if you have palpitations.

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Long QT syndrome

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of the heart's electrical system that can cause fast, chaotic heartbeats, called arrhythmias.

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Endocarditis

Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart. A quick diagnosis is vital. Find out about the risks and symptoms of endocarditis here.

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Atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF or Afib) is a heart rhythm problem that can increase your risk of stroke. Find out about the symptoms and treatment for AFib.

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Cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating, usually due to an electrical problem with the heart. Performing CPR and defibrillation in time can be lifesaving.

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Heart murmur

Heart murmurs are sounds that can be heard when listening to the heart. Some heart murmurs are a sign of a heart condition, but others are not. Here's what you need to know.

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Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that raise the risk of stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Find out its symptoms and treatments.

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Should I be tested for heart disease?

Understanding heart disease risk can help you reduce your risk and protect your heart. Find out more about heart disease risk and heart disease tests.

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Aortic valve replacement

The aortic valve is in your heart. It helps keep blood flowing in the right direction. Learn how to prepare for an aortic valve replacement operation.

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Resting heart rate

Resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you are at rest. Learn why it’s an important sign of your heart health and how to check it.

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Heart arrhythmias

A heart arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. Your heart can beat too fast, too slow or irregularly. Learn how to recognise the symptoms here.

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Inserting an internal cardioverter defibrillator

An abnormal heart rhythm can cause cardiac arrest. Having an ICD inserted may save your life by giving you a shock to make your heart beat normally again.

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Inserting a pacemaker

An abnormal heart rhythm can cause cardiac arrest and even death. Having a pacemaker inserted may save your life by preventing you from having a cardiac arrest.

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White blood cells

White blood cells are part of your immune system. They help detect and deal with infections. Learn about health problems involving white blood cells.

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Heart transplants

A heart transplant is an operation to replace a damaged heart with a healthy donor heart. Learn about waiting lists and life after a transplant.

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Statins

Statins are medicines used to lower cholesterol and are recommended for people at risk of cardiovascular disease. Here's how statins work.

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Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of blood fat usually measured with cholesterol. Find out about the impact of high triglyceride levels and how to lower them.

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Anaemia

Anaemia is a lack of red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs around the body. It's important treat the cause of the anaemia.

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