Understanding coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) develops when the artery supplying blood to the heart becomes partially or wholly blocked. It’s often caused by fatty deposits building up on the inside lining of the arteries. This causes symptoms of chest pain, which is temporary and treatable. CHD can result in a heart attack if the blood supply to the heart is stopped for long enough to cause damage.
Heart disease is a concern for everyone. Research suggests there are just over 2.6 million people living with the condition in the UK. The older you are, the more likely you are to have heart disease. It affects about one in four men and one in five women aged 75 and over.
The good news is that heart disease is largely preventable. There are small changes you can make to your diet and lifestyle which significantly reduce your risk of developing CHD in the future, or having another heart attack. Keeping your heart healthy will also have other health benefits, reducing your risk of stroke and dementia.
Use this guide to find out more about heart disease, what you can do, and how the NHS can help.
