Did you know that 200,000 lives a year are lost in Britain from cardiovascular (CVD) disease? That’s double the population of Lincoln. A further 4 million people are suffering from cardiovascular related diseases. It costs the UK £30 billion a year and it is the UKs biggest killer, yet 80-90% of premature CVD is preventable.
Early deaths from Heart Attack and Stroke are higher than the England average in Lincoln but a large number of early deaths from CVD can be prevented by making a fewchanges to your lifestyle.
What is CVD? Coronary Heart Disease such as Angina Pectoris and Heart attack, TIA’s (mini strokes), stroke and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). Connected to CVD is kidney disease (renal stenosis) and aneurysms.
One of the things that can cause CVD is atherosclerosis. This is where waxy plaques build up on the arteries causing what is commonly known as hardening of the arteries. Angina, PAD and renal stenosis are a consequence of atherosclerosis where the artery narrows from fatty materials such as cholesterol.
Diagram showing atherosclerotic changes to the artery wall
Angina is where the coronary arteries become narrowed and so blood supply to the heart is limited. Angina is often brought on by physical activity, an emotional upset, cold weather or after a meal.
PAD is mostly a term used to describe narrowing of the arteries in the legs. This is often symptomless in its early stages, but as time goes on symptoms such as pain in the calf muscles, thighs or buttocks are experienced when walking or exercising and even worse, constant pain when at rest. This can result in a poor blood supply to the extremities and as a consequence, ulcers and gangrene.
Kidneys can be affected by the narrowing of their arteries, this results in high blood pressure and kidney failure. Aneurysms can form for many reasons but one cause may be a weakening of the arterial wall because of atheroma.
CVD such as Heart Attack, TIA’s and 85% of strokes are a consequence of arterial plaques breaking off the arterial wall or clots causing blockages stopping the oxygen getting to the heart or brain.
Some other risk factors for CVD are smoking, an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
Lisa Boulton is the Medical Director of Amethyst Health Screening, a local company which carries out health checks and cardiovascular risk assessments for Lincoln residents and local businesses. She contributes on health-related topics for The Lincolnite.
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Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
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Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!