Cardiovascular Disease

The term cardiovascular disease refers to all diseases that affect the heart and circulation. This includes conditions such as angina and heart attack (coronary heart disease) and stroke.

There are certain factors that increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, some of which are things we cannot change:

• Age - as you get older your risk increases
• Ethnic Background -  some ethnic groups have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. For example, South Asian people living in the UK have a higher risk than the rest of the UK population
• A family history- you maybe more at risk if a blood relative has a cardiovascular disease

High blood pressure and diabetes can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, so it is important to know your blood pressure and your risk of developing diabetes www.diabetes.org.uk/Riskscore/

The good news is that you can reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by making small lifestyle changes such as:

• Eating a healthy and balanced diet
• Exercising regularly
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing alcohol consumption  

In coronary heart disease, the arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked. This is usually caused by fatty deposits, carried in the blood, sticking to the walls of the arteries, causing them to become narrower. This can lead to a heart attack, angina or heart failure.  

A stroke is a brain attack. A stroke happens when the arteries that supply blood to the brain become blocked or damaged.

Stroke is the main cause of disability in the UK and is the third most common cause of death (after cancer and coronary heart disease). As the brain controls everything the body does, damage to the brain can affect body functions such as limb movement, communication and cognitive processes.

There are two main types of strokes:

1. Ischemic- a blockage/clot in the artery that carries blood to the brain
2. Haemorrhage- a bleed in the brain when a blood vessel bursts

Sometimes it is possible for patients to suffer what is sometimes called a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA).  This occurs when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted for a very brief time.  The symptoms of a TIA are usually resolved faster and the person will often get better within 24 hours.

If you suspect that someone is having a stroke act FAST:

1. Facial weakness - can they smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
2. Arm weakness - can they raise both arms?
3. Speech problems - can they speak clearly and understand what you are saying?
4. Time - to call 999