Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease means all diseases of the heart and circulation, including angina, heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the UK.
Data from the 2006 Health Survey for England suggest the prevalence of coronary heart disease in England was 6.5% in men and 4.0% in women. Prevalence rates increase with age, with more than 1 in 3 men and around 1 in 4 women aged 75 and over living with CHD.

Angina is characterised by an uncomfortable feeling in the chest, jaw, shoulder, back, or arms due to inadequate delivery of oxygen to the heart.  It typically elicited by exertion or emotional stress.

A heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, is when part of the heart muscle dies because it has been starved of oxygen. It usually occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that lead to the heart muscle), blocking the blood supply to the heart.  Patients experience severe, crushing pain in the middle of the chest. which may then travel from the chest to the neck, jaw, ears, arms and wrists.

Heart Failure is when the heart becomes less efficient at pumping blood round the body.  In most cases heart failure occurs as a result of damage to the heart muscle, which weakens the pumping action of the heart. Symptoms include shortness of breath at rest or during exertion, feeling tired, swollen feet and ankles.

A stroke is when part of the blood supply to the brain has been cut off. Blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen to the brain and without that supply, brain cells can be damaged or destroyed.  Signs and symptoms include slurred speech, headache, numbness or weakness down one side of the body and confusion.

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

The following support groups and organisations may be able to offer you further information and advice. Ask your doctor or nurse about local services too.

Useful contacts

British Heart Foundation
14 Fitzhardinge Street
London
W1H 6DH

Tel: 020 7935 0185