Heart Disease Review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.
It’s usually associated with a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries (atherosclerosis) and an increased risk of blood clots. The exact cause of CVD isn’t clear, but there are lots of things that can increase your risk of getting it. These are called “risk factors”. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of developing CVD. The main risk factors for CVD are outlined below.
High blood pressure
Smoking
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Inactivity
Being overweight or obese
Family history of CVD
Ethnic background

If you’re over 40, you’ll be invited by your GP for an NHS Health Check every 5 years. Part of this check involves assessing your individual CVD risk and advising you how to reduce it if necessary.