Conditions treated

Dr Ben Corden is a consultant cardiologist with expertise in diagnosing and managing a broad range of heart conditions.

Some patients attend with an established diagnosis, often following NHS investigations or treatment. Others come because they have ongoing symptoms, uncertainty, or concerns about a possible heart condition. Wherever you are in that process, Dr Corden provides clear, expert assessment and guidance, including second opinions where helpful.

His specialist interests include general cardiology (including breathlessness, chest pain, and palpitations), preventive cardiology (assessment and management of risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol), heart failure, cardiomyopathies and inherited cardiovascular conditions. He works closely with regional specialist teams to ensure access to the most appropriate investigations and treatments.

Coronary artery disease
Narrowing of the heart’s arteries can cause symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness and increases the risk of heart attack. Early diagnosis allows effective treatment with lifestyle changes, medication or procedures such as stenting.
Heart failure
When the heart becomes weaker or stiffer, symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and swelling can develop. Modern treatments can significantly improve symptoms, wellbeing and even heart function in many patients.
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
High blood pressure often has no symptoms but increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and heart failure if untreated. Careful assessment and tailored treatment can help protect long-term health.
High cholesterol (hyperlipidaemia)
Elevated cholesterol increases the risk of coronary artery disease and strokes. Treatment involves lifestyle changes and, when appropriate, medication to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Atrial fibrillation (AF)
A common heart rhythm disorder that can cause palpitations, breathlessness or fatigue. Management focuses on controlling symptoms and reducing stroke risk through medication or procedures.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
A fast heart rhythm that often causes sudden palpitations, dizziness or breathlessness. Diagnosis is usually straightforward, and curative treatments such as ablation are often available.
Cardiomyopathy and Heart Muscle Disease
A major subspecialty area of Dr Corden’s practice.
Cardiomyopathy
An umbrella term for conditions that affect the heart muscle itself, leading to symptoms such as breathlessness, palpitations or fatigue. Some types are inherited, while others result from heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis), alcohol, pregnancy, high blood pressure or rarer diseases like amyloidosis and sarcoidosis.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
An inherited condition causing thickening of the heart muscle. Many people live normal lives with careful monitoring, while others may develop symptoms requiring treatment.
Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction
Occurs when thickened heart muscle in HCM causes narrowing of the outflow tract, leading to breathlessness, chest pain or fainting. Effective treatments are available, including medications and specialist procedures.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
A condition where the heart becomes enlarged and pumps less effectively. It may be inherited or triggered by infections, alcohol, pregnancy or autoimmune disease, and treatments can significantly improve heart function.
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ARVC/ACM)
A condition affecting the heart muscle and electrical system, often causing palpitations or blackouts. Early diagnosis and specialist management are essential to reduce arrhythmia risk.
Aortopathy / Dilated aorta
Weakening or enlargement of the aorta (the major blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body) can increase the risk of aortic dissection (a tear in the wall of the aorta). Some forms are inherited and require regular monitoring and family screening.
Inherited cardiovascular conditions (ICC)
Includes inherited cardiomyopathies, inherited arrhythmia syndromes (such as long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome), and inherited aortic diseases. As the local expert for these conditions in Gloucestershire and part of the South West ICC service, Dr Corden provides comprehensive assessment, genetic testing and family screening.
Valvular heart disease
Conditions such as aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation affect how the heart valves open and close. Early diagnosis and monitoring help determine when medication or valve intervention is needed.
Aortic stenosis
A narrowing of the aortic valve that can cause breathlessness, chest pain or blackouts. Treatments range from monitoring to valve replacement (which can be through open heart surgery or ‘keyhole’ with a procedure called TAVI), depending on severity.
Sudden adult death syndrome (SADS) / Sudden cardiac death (SCD)
When someone dies suddenly and unexpectedly from a suspected cardiac cause, family members may be at increased risk. Dr Corden provides expert assessment and screening to identify inherited conditions or early coronary disease.
Cardiac amyloidosis
A condition where abnormal proteins build up in the heart muscle, causing stiffness and heart failure symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is essential, as specific treatments exist for different types, including Tafamidis for ATTR amyloidosis.
Cardiac sarcoidosis
A rare inflammatory disease that can affect the heart muscle and electrical system, causing arrhythmias or heart failure. Treatment often includes medication to control inflammation and protect heart function.