Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease is also known as heart and circulatory disease, and this term covers all diseases that affect the heart and circulatory system.
Coronary heart disease is caused by a gradual build up of fatty deposits on the walls of your coronary arteries. This causes the artery to narrow, and makes it harder for the artery to supply your heart muscle with blood and oxygen. The medical term for this condition is atherosclerosis and the fatty material is known as atheroma.
Over time, the artery may become so narrow that it can’t deliver enough blood oxygen to your heart, especially when you’re exerting yourself. This can lead to angina – a pain or discomfort in your chest.

A heart attack occurs when a piece of the fatty atheroma breaks away from the artery wall and causes a blood clot to form. If this clot then blocks the artery, your heart muscle will be starved of blood and oxygen. A heart attack is a medical emergency and if you suspect that you or someone else is having one, you must call for an ambulance immediately.

Just as the heart is served with blood and oxygen by the coronary artery, your brain is given oxygen and essential nutrients in blood delivered by the arteries in the neck. If the arteries in the neck begin to narrow because of a build up of fatty atheroma, the arteries may find it difficult to supply blood to the brain. Stroke is caused by the blockage of an artery carrying blood to the brain. Damage caused by stroke can affect your bodily functions and mental processes.

If you’re worried that you might be affected by cardiovascular disease, your GP or practice nurse can carry out a risk assessment. Risk factors include:

* Smoking
* High blood pressure
* High blood cholesterol
* Physical inactivity
* Being overweight or obese
* Diabetes
* A family history of heart disease
* Age – as you get older, your risk increases
* Ethnic group – some ethnic groups have a higher risk of heart disease.

There’s lots you can do to keep your heart healthy – whatever your age.Taking enough exercise, eating a healthy diet, encouraging children to be heart healthy and being aware of dangers such as smoking, drinking, high blood pressure and stress.