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Heart Disease
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The UK has one of the highest rates of death from heart disease in
the world - one British adult dies from the disease every three
minutes - and stroke is the country's third biggest killer, claiming
70,000 lives each year. Heart attacks occur when blood flow is
blocked, often by a blood clot, while strokes are caused either by
blocked or burst blood vessels in the brain.
Heart disease and stroke may be inherited, but often they are the
result of lifestyle. Changing eating, exercise and smoking habits can
play a significant part in prevention.
Risk factors:
- Age - Four out of five people who die from coronary heart
disease are aged 65 or older. The risk of stroke doubles with each
decade after the age of 55.
- Sex - Men are more at risk than women and have attacks earlier
in life. But death rates from heart disease and stroke for women
are twice as high as those for all forms of cancer. The risk for
women increases as they approach menopause and continues to rise,
as they get older, possibly because of the loss of the natural
hormone oestrogen.
- Family history (heredity) - Children of parents with heart
disease are more likely to suffer from the disease. Some races,
such as Afro-Caribbeans, are more prone to coronary heart disease
and stroke than others.
- Smoking - Smokers are twice as likely to suffer heart attacks as
non-smokers, and they are more likely to die as a result. Smoking
is also linked to increased risk of stroke. The nicotine and
carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke damages the cardiovascular
system. Passive smoking may also be a danger. Women who smoke and
take the oral contraceptive pill are at high risk of heart disease
and stroke.
- Alcohol - Drinking an average of more than one drink a day for
women or more than two drinks a day for men increases the risk of
heart disease and stroke because of the effect on blood pressure,
weight and levels of triglycerides - a type of fat carried in the
blood. Binge drinking is particularly dangerous.
- Drug abuse - The use of certain drugs, particularly cocaine and
those taken intravenously, has been linked to heart disease and
stroke. Cocaine can cause abnormal heartbeat, which can be fatal,
while heroin and opiates can cause lung failure. Injecting drugs
can cause an infection of the heart or blood vessels.
- Cholesterol - The higher the blood cholesterol level, the higher
the risk of coronary heart disease, particularly if it is combined
with any of the other risk factors. Diet is one cause of high
cholesterol - others are age, sex and family history. High levels
of LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or "bad cholesterol",
are dangerous, while high levels of HDL (high-density
lipoprotein), or "good cholesterol" lowers the risk of
heart disease and stroke.
- Blood pressure - High blood pressure increases the heart's
workload, causing it to enlarge and weaken over time. When
combined with obesity, smoking, high cholesterol or diabetes, the
risk increases several times. High blood pressure can be a problem
in women who are pregnant or are taking high-dose types of oral
contraceptive pill.
- Physical inactivity - Failure to exercise is a cause of coronary
heart disease as physical activity helps control cholesterol
levels, diabetes and, in some cases, can help lower blood
pressure.
- Obesity - People who are overweight are more likely to develop
heart disease and stroke, even if they have none of the other risk
factors. Excess weight causes extra strain on the heart,
influences blood pressure, cholesterol and levels of other blood
fats - including triglycerides - and increases the risk of
developing diabetes
- Diabetes - The condition seriously increases the risk of
developing cardiovascular disease, even if glucose levels are
under control. More than 80% of diabetes sufferers die of some
form of heart or blood vessel disease.
- Previous medical history - People who have had a previous heart
attack or stroke are more likely than others to suffer further
events.
- Stress - Some links have been made between stress and coronary
artery disease. This could be because it encourages people to eat
more, start smoking or smoke more than they would otherwise have
done.
Healthy Tips:
- Understand the risk factors of heart disease and stroke and
adopt a healthier lifestyle.
- Stop smoking, drink less, eat better and exercise regularly.
- Have regular blood pressure readings, height and weight
monitoring, and tests for cholesterol levels.
- Ask your GP if you have any concerns.
Upbeat Heart Support Group - Heart Disease
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