Cardiovascular Disease

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease is also called 'heart and circulatory disease'. It means all diseases of the heart and circulation, including coronary heart disease (angina and heart attack), and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the UK. 

What is coronary heart disease?

Coronary heart disease occurs when the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle) become narrowed by a gradual build-up of fatty material within their walls.  This condition is called atherosclerosis and the fatty material is called atheroma.

In time, the artery may become so narrow that it cannot deliver enough oxygen containing blood to the heart muscle, particularly at times when there is more demand -such as when you are exerting yourself. The pain or discomfort that happens as a result is called angina.  For more information see our angina section on the website.

If the atheroma becomes unstable, a piece may break off and lead to a blood clot forming. If the blood clot blocks the coronary artery, the heart muscle is starved of blood and oxygen and may become permanently damaged. This is known as a heart attack. A heart attack is a medical emergency. For more information see our heart attack section on the website. 

If you think you are having a heart attack, you should call 999 immediately.

What is a stroke?

Blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen to the brain.  If atheroma develops in the arteries in the neck, it may interfere with the flow of blood to the brain.  If the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off - for example, if a blood clot blocks an artery that carries blood to the brain, a stroke may occur. 

Without a blood supply, brain cells may be damaged or destroyed.  The brain controls everything the body does, so the damage caused by a stroke may affect the body functions or mental processes.  For more information on stroke, contact:
The Stroke Association
Website: www.stroke.org.uk 
Helpline: 08450 3033100
Email: info@stroke.org.uk

What causes cardiovascular disease?

 

There are several things which increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.  These are called risk factors. The risk factors for cardiovascular disease are:

• smoking
• high blood pressure
• high blood cholesterol
• physical inactivity
• being overweight or obese
• diabetes
• having a family history of heart disease 

Your risk of developing cardiovascular disease also increases with age.  Certain ethnic groups also have a different level of risk.  For example, South Asian people living in the UK have a higher risk than the rest of the UK population. 

The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing cardiovascular disease. 

How can I help to prevent cardiovascular disease?

 

Cardiovascular disease can often be prevented. Research shows that making changes to your lifestyle can have a major effect on reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. These include:

• stopping smoking
• controlling high blood pressure
• reducing blood cholesterol levels
• keeping physically active
• achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
• if you have diabetes controlling your blood glucose

Eating a healthy balanced diet and drinking only moderate amounts of alcohol can also help to keep your heart healthy. 

Even if you do have cardiovascular disease there are several things that you can do to keep your heart healthy and reduce the risk of further heart problems. 

For more information on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and how to help keep your heart healthy see our section on the website Preventing Heart Disease. You may also find some of the following resources helpful:
Keep your heart healthy booklet
Looking after your heart booklet - aimed at the South Asian community
Risking it DVD - which provides a guide on how to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease

How can I find out about my risk of cardiovascular disease?

Your GP or practice nurse can carry out a heart health check to find out your risk of cardiovascular disease.  It is sometimes called a cardiovascular risk assessment.  A heart health check provides your GP and practice nurse information about your future risk and gives you valuable information on what you can do to keep your heart healthy.  It can also help your GP decide if you need treatment, such as medicine, to protect your heart.

The assessment takes into account all the risk factors that may affect your and will include:

•  questions about your lifestyle
•  having your weight, height and waist measurements taken
•  having your blood pressure measured
•  having a blood test to measure your cholesterol
•  questions about any history of cardiovascular disease in your family

After the assessment, your GP or practice nurse may offer you advice and information on how to make appropriate changes to your lifestyle to help reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.  For more information on heart health checks, please see our booklet Keep your heart healthy 

What is the treatment for cardiovascular disease?

Most people who are diagnosed with coronary heart disease will be prescribed medication.  There is a wide range of medications which can help control symptoms and reduce the risk of future problems.  For more information please see our Medicines for the heart section on the website.  Some people may require additional treatments.  For more information on these please see our Treatments section on the website.

Got any questions about this page?