Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Cardiovascular disease is a collective term used to describe all diseases that affect the heart and circulatory system. It is the most common cause of death in the UK accounting for around 200,000 deaths per year. Examples of CVD include:
• Coronary heart disease
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Strokes
• Heart attacks
CVD is caused by a build-up of fatty streaks and cholesterol in the blood vessels. This causes the arteries to narrow, reducing the heart's ability to pump blood through them. There are certain risk factors that increase your chances of developing CVD including:
• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Increased levels of LDL cholesterol (the cholesterol that causes build-ups rather than HDL cholesterol which is good)
• Large waist circumference
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
Useful links
BBC health
British Heart Foundation
British Nutrition Foundation