Consuming half a tablespoon of olive oil a day cuts heart attack risk by a FIFTH, research shows

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.

It can also be associated with damage to arteries in organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys and eyes.

CVD is one of the main causes of death and disability in the UK, but it can often largely be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle.

Types of CVD

There are many different types of CVD. Four of the main types are described below.

Coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle is blocked or reduced.

This puts an increased strain on the heart, and can lead to:

• angina – chest pain caused by restricted blood flow to the heart muscle
• heart attacks – where the blood flow to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked
• heart failure – where the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly 

Strokes and TIAs

A stroke is where the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, which can cause brain damage and possibly death.

A transient ischaemic attack (also called a TIA or ‘mini-stroke’) is similar, but the blood flow to the brain is only temporarily disrupted.

The main symptoms of a stroke or TIA can be remembered with the word FAST, which stands for:

• Face – the face may have drooped on one side, the person may be unable to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
• Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of arm weakness or numbness in one arm.
• Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or they may not be able to talk at all.
• Time – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms. 

Peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease occurs when there’s a blockage in the arteries to the limbs, usually the legs.

This can cause:

dull or cramping leg pain, which is worse when walking and gets better with rest

hair loss on the legs and feet

numbness or weakness in the legs

persistent ulcers (open sores) on the feet and legs 

Aortic disease

Aortic diseases are a group of conditions affecting the aorta. This is the largest blood vessel in the body, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

One of most common aortic diseases is an aortic aneurysm, where the aorta becomes weakened and bulges outwards.

This doesn’t usually have any symptoms, but there’s a chance it could burst and cause life-threatening bleeding..

Causes of CVD

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.

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.

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