Chest infection

Chest infections are common in people of all ages and can easily be spread. Learn more here about the causes, symptoms and treatments for chest infections.

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Chest pain

Chest pain is any sort of pain felt in your upper body, from your jaw and shoulders down to your ribs. It can be a symptom of a heart attack. Find out the facts and when to be concerned.

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Chest injuries

Chest injury is any injury to the chest area, between the neck and the abdomen. Learn about the signs of injury and treatments.

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Angina

Caused by insufficient blood flow to the muscles of the heart, angina usually presents as chest pain. Here's how to recognise the signs of angina.

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Coronary heart disease symptoms

If your coronary arteries become partially blocked, it can cause chest pain (angina). If they become completely blocked, it can cause a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Find out more about the symptoms.

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Pneumonia diagnosis

Doctors diagnose pneumonia mainly by talking to the person who is unwell and examining them. A chest x-ray is also a good help.

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Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax (known as collapsed lung) is a reasonably common condition that occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall.

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Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a chest infection that affects a child’s ability to breathe freely. It usually appears in children under 12 months old.

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Costochondritis

Costochondritis is an inflammation in the cartilage that joins your ribs to your breastbone. If you have costochondritis, learn how you can reduce the pain.

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Pericarditis

Pericarditis is inflammation of the thin sheath around your heart. It can lead to problems ranging from swelling to a serious drop in blood pressure.

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Heartburn

Heartburn is a feeling of burning pain or discomfort in the chest. Find out about the triggers for heartburn and what you can do to reduce your risk.

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Asthma

Asthma symptoms can include a cough, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. Learn more about its causes, symptoms and treatment options.

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Hiatus hernia

In a hiatus hernia, a part of the stomach pushes up through a hole in the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. Find out more about hiatus hernia.

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Pleurisy

Pleurisy occurs when the lining of the lungs become inflamed, most often due to a recent respiratory tract infection. Read about causes and treatments.

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Respiratory syncytial virus

RSV infects a person's airways and lungs. Learn about the causes, treatment and prevention of RSV, and how to stop the virus from spreading.

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About coronaviruses

Coronaviruses can cause several illnesses, from the common cold to serious respiratory infections and pneumonia. Find out more about the symptoms here.

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How to perform CPR

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Find out how to do it, when to do it, and get information on training.

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Heart attack symptoms

Dial triple zero (000) immediately if you suspect that you or someone you know is having a heart attack. Find out about the symptoms of heart attack.

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Heart attack

Acting fast when you notice the warning signs of a heart attack could save your life — or someone else's. Here's how to recognise the symptoms.

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Pleural effusion

A pleural effusion is an abnormal build-up of fluid around your lungs. It can be caused by many things, from pneumonia to kidney failure.

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Choking

Choking is what happens when something gets stuck in and blocks a person’s throat or windpipe. It’s a medical emergency – find out what to do and how you could save someone’s life.

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Respiratory system

Your respiratory system brings oxygen into your body and helps to remove carbon dioxide. Learn more about how it functions and related conditions.

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Differences between heart disease in women and in men

Heart disease often goes undiagnosed in women, partly because symptoms can develop later. Learn more about why heart disease differs in men and women.

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GORD symptoms

The most common symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is heartburn. Other symptoms include regurgitation. Find out about GORD symptoms.

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Pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition caused by changes to the arteries in your lungs that can damage your heart. Read more here about the causes, symptoms and treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

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Aortic aneurysm

An aneurysm is a bulge or weakness in a blood vessel. Small aortic aneurysms don’t need to be treated, but larger ones will need surgery in case they burst.

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Silicosis

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling unsafe levels of silica dust, usually over a period of many years. Find out how to minimise the risk.

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Collapsing

Collapsing has a range of causes, often occuring because someone has fainted. You collapse when your brain isn't getting enough oxygen.

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Coronary angiogram

A coronary angiogram is an x-ray procedure used to see whether a person has a certain type of heart disease. See here how the procedure is carried out.

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Heart arrhythmias

Heart arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats. The heart can beat too fast, too slow or irregularly — learn how to recognise the symptoms here.

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