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INFORMING HEARTS
EMPOWERING LIVES

At Heart Matters, we believe knowledge is powerful. Clear, trustworthy information can ease fear, build confidence, and help you take control of your heart health. Join us — subscribe to stay informed and empowered.
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Empowerment begins
with education

Learning more about your heart can change the way you feel, think, and live. At Heart Matters, we’re here to make complex topics simple — because when you understand your health, you’re already on the path to better wellbeing.
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explore, learn & feel informed

Browse our trusted resources and watch easy-to-follow videos on YouTube, created by leading cardiologist Prof Peter Barlis. We analyse the research and explain the science, so you don’t have to. Heart Matters helps you make sense of your heart health with clarity and confidence.
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Latest News

Healthy Living

Berry Power Protein Booster Smoothie

Start Your Day with Heart Healthy Bircher Museli

Is There Something Fishy About Fish Oil? New Study Links Supplements to Increased AF and Stroke Risk

The Role of Vitamins D3 and K2 for Heart Health

Editorial Spotlight

Prof. Peter Barlis - Editor

Prof. Peter Barlis - Editor

Thank you for visiting Heart Matters. We aim to empower you with valuable, easy-to-understand heart health insights, cutting through jargon. Whether you aim to control your heart health, manage an existing condition, or enhance your knowledge of heart wellness, Heart Matters is your go-to guide to help you achieve your goals.

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Our Youtube Channel

Discover our Heart Matters YouTube channel, where we bring heart health to life. From explaining common conditions and symptoms to discussing the latest research, our engaging videos simplify complex topics, ensuring you have access to valuable knowledge for a healthier heart. Subscribe now and embark on a journey of education, empowerment, and inspiration.

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Conditions

Conditions

Understanding Mitral Valve Prolapse

Conditions

Heart Stent Unboxing: What’s Inside the Tiny Device That Keeps Arteries Open

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: What You Need to Know

Cardiac Amyloidosis: An Uncommon but Important Cause of a ‘Stiff’ Heart

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: What You Need to Know
Cardiac Amyloidosis: An Uncommon but Important Cause of a ‘Stiff’ Heart
How to Measure Blood Pressure: A Comprehensive Guide
Optimizing Treatment Approaches for Congestive Heart Failure: Quadruple Therapy
Understanding Aortic Stenosis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Racing Hearts: Understanding Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG):
What to expect
Recovering after a heart attack
As a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, I strongly support initiatives that empower patients through education. Heart Matters does this exceptionally wel, breaking down complex heart health topics into clear, accessible information. By eliminating jargon and focusing on what truly matters, this platform helps individuals make informed choices and take control of their heart health
Prof. Jai Raman
Prof. Jai RamanCardiothoracic Surgeon

Symptoms

Symptoms
Heartburn or Heart Attack? Differentiating Symptoms for Timely Care

During my follow-up consultations with patients after their discharge from the hospital following treatment for a heart attack, a common theme emerges: many recount initially attributing their chest discomfort to heartburn or indigestion. Often, …

Understanding Palpitations: A Cardiologist’s Approach

As a cardiologist, I often encounter patients who are understandably distressed by palpitations. It’s reassuring to know that …

Heartburn or Heart Attack? Differentiating Symptoms for Timely Care

During my follow-up consultations with patients after their discharge from the hospital following treatment for a heart attack, …

Do you have a persisting dry cough? Read on

As a Cardiologist, I frequently hear patients discussing a dry cough – one of the more common symptoms …

Palpitations and Ventricular Ectopics: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Our heart relies on a precise electrical system to maintain rhythm and function. This system works silently in …

Understanding Dizziness:
Causes and Symptoms Explained

Dizziness is a seemingly innocuous sensation that can leave us disoriented, unsteady, and anxious. While a momentary bout …

Understanding Ankle Swelling (Edema)

Swelling of the ankles, also known as edema, is a common condition that can be caused by a …

Palpitations and Ventricular Ectopics: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Understanding Dizziness:
Causes and Symptoms Explained

Symptoms

Understanding Palpitations: A Cardiologist’s Approach
Palpitations and Ventricular Ectopics: Causes, Symptoms, and Management
Do you have a persisting dry cough? Read on
Understanding Dizziness: Causes and Symptoms Explained
Chest Pain: Understanding Symptoms, Causes, and Evaluation

Investigations

Understanding Troponin: A Vital Marker in Cardiology
Recovering after a coronary angiogram
Understanding the HbA1c Blood Test: What It Reveals About Your Health
Stress Echocardiogram Test: What Is It and Why Do You Need It?
Understanding the Holter Monitor Test

New Research

Mavacamten: A new option for the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
New simple intranasal drug treatment for SVT
Unlocking the Mystery of Cardiovascular Risk: New Insights on Lp(a) and hs-CRP
Leadless Pacemakers: Advancing Cardiac Care with Promising Results
Rethinking Beta-blockers Post-Heart Attack

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other anti-anginals

When first-line therapies for angina, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and nitrates, prove inadequate or are not well-tolerated, second-line therapies may be considered.
Perhexiline is a unique medication that enhances the heart's ability to utilize fatty acids for energy, reducing its reliance on oxygen and lowering oxygen demand. This action helps improve blood flow and alleviates chest pain in some patients with refractory angina.
Nicorandil is another second-line option with a dual mechanism of action. It opens potassium channels in smooth muscle cells, causing vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow. Additionally, nicorandil also stimulates nitric oxide release, further dilating blood vessels and reducing heart workload.
Trimetazidine is an anti-ischemic agent that improves cardiac efficiency by enhancing glucose metabolism and shifting the heart's energy production to a more oxygen-efficient process. As second-line therapies, these medications offer alternative approaches for managing angina in individuals who do not respond adequately to first-line treatments or those experiencing side effects from other medications.

lipid lowering therapies

Lipid-lowering therapies are essential in managing coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition where the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed. Among the most commonly prescribed treatments are statins, which reduce cholesterol production in the liver and significantly lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Other medications may be used to target different aspects of lipid metabolism:

  • Ezetimibe helps reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the gut
  • Fibrates lower triglyceride levels
  • Niacin can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol

In recent years, a newer class of medications known as PCSK9 inhibitors—such as Repatha (evolocumab)—has become available. These drugs block a specific enzyme involved in cholesterol regulation and can dramatically lower LDL cholesterol, particularly in patients who do not achieve target levels with statins alone.

Together, these therapies provide a range of options to personalise treatment and improve cardiovascular outcomes.

Nitrates

Nitrates for Angina Relief

Nitrates are widely used to treat angina and provide quick relief from chest pain. These medications are commonly available as sublingual sprays or tablets, skin patches, and long-acting tablets.

Nitrates work by dilating blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow and reduced vascular resistance. This reduces the heart’s workload and lowers its oxygen demand, offering prompt relief from angina symptoms.

Sublingual nitrates act quickly and are typically used at the onset of angina symptoms, while patches and long-acting tablets are used for ongoing prevention.

Common side effects include headaches, dizziness, and flushing. These often improve with continued use but should be discussed with a healthcare provider if persistent or bothersome.

calcium channel blockers

Calcium channel blockers, including amlodipine, felodipine, Cardizem (diltiazem), and verapamil, are commonly prescribed for the treatment of angina.

These medications work by inhibiting the influx of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, causing them to relax. This relaxation leads to the widening of blood vessels, which improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure.

For individuals with angina, calcium channel blockers reduce the heart’s workload and oxygen demand, helping to relieve chest pain and prevent angina episodes.

While effective, they may cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, facial flushing, and ankle swelling. These effects should be monitored and discussed with your healthcare provider if they persist.

Beta blockers

Beta blockers, such as metoprolol, propranolol, atenolol, carvedilol, and bisoprolol, play a crucial role in managing angina.

These medications work by blocking specific receptors in the heart, which slows the heart rate and reduces the strength of each contraction. This results in a lower oxygen demand by the heart and helps relieve chest pain associated with angina.

Beta blockers are highly effective in both relieving symptoms and preventing angina episodes. However, they may cause side effects in some individuals, including tiredness, worsened asthma symptoms, more vivid dreams, and erectile dysfunction in some males.

It is important to consult your healthcare provider to determine whether beta blockers are a suitable option for your angina and overall heart health.

Anti-platelet Medications

Anti-platelet medications play a crucial role in preventing blood clot formation and reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Commonly used agents include aspirin, clopidogrel, and ticagrelor.

 

Aspirin: This well-known medication inhibits platelet activation, reducing the likelihood that platelets will clump together and form clots. It is widely used for both primary and secondary prevention of heart attacks and strokes.

 

Clopidogrel: A potent anti-platelet agent, clopidogrel works by blocking specific receptors on platelets to prevent aggregation. It is commonly prescribed for patients with acute coronary syndrome, those undergoing stent placement, and some individuals with peripheral arterial disease.

 

Ticagrelor: Ticagrelor also inhibits platelet activation and is typically used in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome. It is often prescribed alongside aspirin to provide dual anti-platelet therapy and further reduce the risk of heart-related events.