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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5 ways to reduce your risk of heart disease

Nine in 10 Australians have at least one risk factor for heart disease, but there are ways to reduce your risk and keep your heart healthy.

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Preparing for surgery

It's best to be prepared if you're planning to have surgery. Make sure you know exactly what your operation is for and the risk involved.

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Questions to ask before surgery

It’s a big decision whether or not to have surgery. Asking your doctor a lot of questions can help guide you towards making the right decision.

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Heart disease surgery

Links to our information partners' articles about heart disease surgery and cardiovascular disease.

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Coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis

Coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as ‘ischaemic heart disease’, is the most common form of heart disease. Learn how to reduce your risk.

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Should I be tested for heart disease?

Understanding your risk of heart disease can help you take steps to reduce your risk and protect your heart. Find out more about heart disease risks and how heart disease tests are carried out.

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Rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition that develops when the body’s heart valves are damaged by rheumatic fever. It is serious, but it’s also entirely preventable.

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Find out your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease with this quick test

Healthdirect, with the George Institute, has developed a free online risk calculator to help prevent heart disease, kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

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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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5 heart health myths, busted

Heart disease is the leading underlying cause of death in Australia. Knowing how to look after your heart is essential, but there's a lot of misinformation out there.

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Risk Checker

Find out if you're at risk of heart disease, kidney disease or type 2 diabetes in just a few minutes using the healthdirect Risk Checker.

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Congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease is a birth defect, occurring when a baby is born with a heart that hasn’t formed properly. Some forms of the condition are uncomplicated; others can be very serious. Learn about the differences here.

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Guide to bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery is the most effective way to lose weight and keep it off in the long term. Learn about the different types of bariatric surgery here.

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Gastric bypass surgery

Gastric bypass surgery, a very effective surgery for weight loss, helps you lose weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine absorb food.

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Surgery for cholesteatoma

A cholesteatoma is a sac of dead skin cells that forms in your middle ear, which can damage your ear and cause complications. Surgery is the only cure.

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Gastric sleeve surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery involves the removal of a large part of your stomach. It helps you to feel full after eating only a small amount of food.

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Endoscopic sinus surgery

Sinusitis is not usually serious but it can cause unpleasant symptoms. If medication does not help, endoscopic sinus surgery should help prevent the sinusitis from coming back.

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Bunion surgery

If you have a bunion that is causing pressure and pain, surgery should straighten your big toe and make your foot fit more comfortably into a normal shoe.

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Guide to cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic surgery aims to improve how you feel about your appearance. Learn the difference between cosmetic and plastic surgeons, and know what you need to ask.

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Ptosis surgery (adult)

Ptosis surgery involves lifting your eyelid to improve its position and improve your vision. You should consider the options carefully and have realistic expectations about the results.

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Surgery for problems of the small toes

If you have problems with your small toes that are causing pressure and pain, surgery should straighten your toes and help make your foot fit more comfortably into a normal shoe.

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Surgery for de Quervain's disease

De Quervain’s disease causes pain when you move your wrist and thumb, and usually a tender swelling at the base of your thumb. If treatment with steroid injections has failed, surgery should relieve your pain.

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Open TMJ surgery

Open TMJ surgery is an operation to diagnose and treat problems in your temporomandibular joint.

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Surgery for anal fistula

An anal fistula can cause continued infection and pain. Symptoms usually get worse without surgery.

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Abdominal Surgery for Crohn's disease

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of your bowel. Surgery is usually recommended if medication fails to improve your symptoms.

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Surgery for pilonidal sinus

Pilonidal sinus is a common problem in young adults and is best treated by surgery. It can cause an abscess or continued discharge.

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Pain relief after surgery

Pain after an operation is a common problem but there is no need for you to be in a lot of pain. Pain relief after surgery is usually safe and effective.

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Gender confirmation surgery

Gender confirmation surgery transfers people with gender dysphoria (who identify with a gender that is different from their biological sex) to their desired sex. Learn more here.

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Retinal detachment surgery

A retinal detachment is where the inner layer at the back of your eye peels off. Retinal detachment surgery should prevent your vision from getting worse.

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