heart problems advice treatment

Whilst our hearts are amazingly efficient in keeping us going, things can go wrong and, as we grow older the risk of a heart problem increases.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a collective term for heart and circulatory diseases. It is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the UK responsible for 40% of all causes of death and claiming over 245,000 lives (2001). CVD includes the following problems and conditions:


Heart Attack A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery becomes blocked due... More	Angina Angina describes pain that is felt in the centre of the chest, as heaviness... More	Stroke A stroke usually occurs when the blood supply to an area of the brain is reduced or... More	Peripheral Arterial Disease PAD means disease of the arteries that supply blood to... More

CHD accounts for 50% of CVD deaths with cerebrovascular disease and stroke accounting for a further 30%. The cause of the narrowing of arteries in CHD, CVD and PAD is the same in each case and the process is known as atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, cholesterol deposits (known as plaques) form in the arterial wall causing the artery to become narrowed and reduce blood flow.

Heart Attack

Angina

Stroke

Peripheral Arterial Disease