heart disease and symptoms
Coronary Heart Disease is one of the most common diseases to affect the heart. It's the UK’s biggest killer with approximately 300,000 people suffering from a heart attack each year.1 The most common cause is due to a build up of fatty materials within the arteries, causing them to narrow and restrict the supply of blood to the heart.
Angina
When the arteries to the heart are partially blocked, they restrict its blood supply and can cause chest pain known as angina. It’s often triggered by physical activity or stress, but the symptoms usually pass within 10-15 minutes by resting or using medication.
Heart Attack
A heart attack (or myocardial infarction) occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle is cut off due to an artery being completely blocked. The heart is starved of oxygen and this can cause permanent damage. It can also be fatal.
Strokes
A stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK.2 It is also the single most common cause of severe disability. Strokes are often caused by a blockage of an artery to the brain, so by looking after your heart, you can also protect yourself against the risk of having a stroke.
Other symptoms
Heart palpitations occur when your heart beats differently from its usual rhythm. This can happen after a heart attack due to the damage caused to the heart. Other symptoms that may be linked to heart disease are:
- Breathlessness
- Fainting
- Swollen ankles
- Fatigue
These symptoms can also be caused by factors other than heart disease, so it is always best to talk to your doctor.
1) www.nhs.uk 2) www.heartforum.org.uk