The facts about cardiovascular disease:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurs when the arteries which supply blood and oxygen to the heart become narrowed by a gradual build-up of fatty material in their walls
  • The arteries can become so narrow that they cannot deliver enough oxygen filled blood to the heart, especially at times when there is more demand, such as during exercise, and this pain is angina
  • If the fatty material becomes unstable and a piece breaks off it can lead to a blood clot forming. If the blood clot blocks the coronary artery, the heart muscle is starved of blood and can become permanently damaged, which is a heart attack
  • Strokes can also be caused by a blockage in an artery because of cardiovascular disease as strokes occur when blood to the brain is blocked
  • Risk factors associated with developing CVD include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking, physical inactivity, being overweight or obese, having diabetes or having a family history of heart disease.