Keeping on top of your health is important but it isn’t always easy. There are 7.6m people in the UK who are living with heart and circulatory diseases.
And it is estimated more than half of people will get a heart or circulatory problem in their lifetime. CHD (coronary heart disease) is one of the leading causes of death in the UK.
It kills around 68,000 people a year – one person every eight minutes. Figures show one in eight men and one in 14 women will die as a result of the condition, according to the British Heart Foundation.
CHD is caused when the heart’s blood supply becomes blocked or interrupted by fatty substances building up in the arteries. However according to the BHF there are often few signs in advance that you have a potentially deadly disease.
But there are some to watch out for. It says: “CHD develops slowly over time and the symptoms can be different for everyone. Some people do not know they have CHD before they have a heart attack.
“Angina is the name given for chest pain or an uncomfortable feeling that happens when blood flow to your heart muscle is reduced. It is a common symptom of CHD.” It adds sufferers might also feel pain or an uncomfortable feeling in your:
- shoulders
- arms
- neck
- jaw
- back
- stomach.
Other symptoms of coronary heart disease include;
- shortness of breath
- feeling faint
- feeling sick.
But there are things you can do to help prevent the disease. Dr Kathryn Basford, a certified GP at leading UK telehealth and weight loss treatment provider ZAVA Online Doctor, warned: “There are a lot of different factors that can increase your chances of developing CHD.
“Many can be avoided with healthier lifestyle choices, but others can be caused by an underlying condition that may not be as treatable. The more aware you are of the different risk factors that can lead to CHD, the easier it can be to take steps towards avoiding them.
“Effective treatment for CHD usually involves medication, lifestyle changes and in some instances, surgery. The right treatments for CHD will help you manage painful symptoms, reduce the risk of your condition worsening and improve your heart’s health and performance.”
She has shared her seven ‘healthy heart tips’ to avoid or minimise the risk of developing CHD. Here’s what she recommends:
Eat a healthy diet
Eating a low-fat, high-fibre diet is helpful. You should eat more fruit, vegetables and unsaturated fats, and avoid saturated fats and salt. Diets high in fats and cholesterol – such as the ‘carnivore diet’, where only animal-based foods (like meat, fish, eggs, and some dairy) are consumed – elevate heart disease risks, especially for those with genetic predispositions to heart issues.
Maintain a healthy weight and BMI
If you have a high BMI , you may already be at risk of heart disease. Obesity can lead to a buildup of fat in your artery walls, and this can lead to them becoming blocked, which makes you more likely to develop CHD.
Be physically active
Exercising is key to keeping your heart healthy and maintaining a healthy weight.
Maintain healthy blood pressure
Exercise regularly, eat healthily and – if necessary – start taking medication.
Give up smoking
Smoking can seriously damage your heart’s health and put additional pressure on it.
Drink less
Binge drinking or long-term drinking above the recommended limits can massively increase your risk of having a heart attack.
Maintain healthy cholesterol levels
High cholesterol can lead to a buildup in your arteries which increases your likelihood of developing CHD. Cholesterol is a type of fat made by your liver, and while required in moderation for a healthy diet, too much can cause an increased strain on your heart. High levels of cholesterol are most commonly caused by an unhealthy diet or an underlying condition.