Did you know that 1 in 10 men aged 50 have a heart age 10 years older than they are. Did you also know that heart disease mortality is higher in men than in women.
Heart and circulatory diseases, such as Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and (CHD), are terms for diseases of the heart and circulation.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) can be divided into two categories: heart disease (involving the heart) and vascular disease (involving the blood vessels).
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is when the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood become narrowed or blocked due to a gradual build-up of fatty material. This is the most common type of cardiovascular disease and the most common cause of heart attack. These diseases can be thought of as a ‘family’, sharing many of the same risk factors.
We have shared the following information in three posters which can be found at the end of this document and on UK News using the links below.
Some statistics
According to a British Heart Foundation (BHF) report published in January 2024:
- Heart and circulatory diseases cause around a quarter (27%) of all deaths in the UK; that’s more than 170,000 deaths a year, or 480 each day – one every three minutes.
- Around 4 million males and 3.6 million females are living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK.
- Around 80% of people with heart and circulatory diseases have at least one other health condition.
- Around twice as many people are living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK than with cancer and Alzheimer’s disease combined.
- CHD is the most common type of heart and circulatory disease. In January 2024, there were 2.3 million people in the UK living with CHD – around 1.5 million men and 830,000 women.
Why are more men affected than women?
Various reasons are thought to be the causes of increased Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) numbers in men. There have been many medical studies to explain why more men than women die from heart diseases and one theory is that men’s ability to cope with stressful events may be less adaptive physiologically, behaviourally, and emotionally, contributing to their increased risk. However, there are also gender differences when it comes to heart disease, such as the role of hormones, cholesterol buildup in different areas, differences in body fat and differences in heart and blood vessel size.
The Risk Factors
No matter your gender or age, here are the main risk factors that can expose you to higher chances of having cardiac events:
High blood pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure is the leading modifiable risk factor for heart and circulatory disease in the UK. Around 50% of heart attacks and strokes are associated with high blood pressure in the UK. An estimated 30% of adults in the UK have high blood pressure in the UK.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated over a prolonged period of time. This results in damage to the inner lining of blood vessels. Consequently, diabetes is a significant risk factor for heart and circulatory diseases. Adults with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, and nearly twice as likely to die from heart attack or stroke than those without diabetes. Over half a million adults in the UK are thought to suffer from undiagnosed diabetes.
High cholesterol
High blood cholesterol is a significant risk factor for developing heart and circulatory diseases. Cholesterol is a lipid, a fatty substance that is present in your blood vessels. There are two types of cholesterol, LDL and HDL. High LDL levels of cholesterol is associated with 1 in 4 heart and circulatory disease deaths in the UK “Bad cholesterol” represents a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease and almost half of UK adults are thought to be living with cholesterol levels above the national guidelines total cholesterol (5mmmo/L). It’s estimated that close to half of adults in the UK are living with cholesterol levels above national guidelines total cholesterol (greater than 5mmol/L).
Air Pollution
Poor air quality has a significant impact on heart and circulatory health. It’s estimated that up to 11,000 heart and circulatory disease deaths in the UK are attributable to particulate matter pollution each year.
Smoking
Modifiable risk factors such as cigarette smoking, physical inactivity and poor diet contribute significantly to the risk of cardiovascular disease. At least one in eight adults in the UK smoke cigarettes, and it’s estimated that at least 80,000 deaths each year can be attributed to smoking-related causes.
Overweight/Obesity
More than a quarter (26%) of adults in the UK have obesity and in addition nearly two in five (38%) have a body-mass index (BMI) defined as overweight. It’s estimated that 30% of children in the UK have a BMI defined as overweight or obese. In the UK around 1 in 6 heart and circulatory disease deaths are associated with a high body-mass index.
Diet and Exercise
Only around a quarter of adults consume the recommended minimum five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. Nearly a quarter of adults in the UK exceed national guidelines for weekly alcohol intake; no level of use is without risk. More than one in three (36%) of adults in the UK do not achieve recommended levels of physical activity (150 minutes each week). Being physically active can reduce the risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases by as much as 35%.
How to Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is avoidable, even if you have a family history. Lifestyle changes, like eating healthy foods, staying active, and managing stress can have a large impact in preventing cardiovascular disease, or in keeping it from worsening.
Here are the NHS recommended ways of lowering your risk of a heart disease:
Stop smoking
If you smoke, you should try to give up as soon as possible. The NHS Better Health website can provide information, support and advice to help. Your GP can also provide you with advice and support. They can also prescribe medication to help you quit. Read more about stopping smoking and stop smoking treatments.
Have a balanced diet
A healthy, balanced diet is recommended for a healthy heart. A balanced diet includes:
- low levels of saturated fat – try to include healthier sources of fat, such as oily fish, nuts and seeds, and olive oil, and avoid unhealthy fats such as fatty cuts of meat, lard, cream, cakes and biscuits
- low levels of salt – aim for less than 6g (0.2oz or 1 teaspoon) a day
- low levels of sugar
- plenty of fibre and wholegrain foods
- plenty of fruit and vegetables – eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
- Read more about healthy eating.
Exercise regularly
Adults are advised to do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as cycling or brisk walking. If you find it difficult to do this, start at a level you feel comfortable with and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your activity as your fitness improves. Read advice about starting exercise.
Maintain a healthy weight
If you’re overweight or obese, a combination of regular exercise and a healthy diet can help you lose weight. If you’re struggling to lose weight, your GP or practice nurse can help you come up with a weight loss plan and recommend services in your area. Read more about losing weight and how your GP can help.
Cut down on alcohol
If you drink alcohol, try not to exceed the recommended limit of 14 alcohol units a week for men and women. If you do drink this much, you should aim to spread your drinking over 3 days or more. A unit of alcohol is roughly equivalent to half a pint of normal-strength lager or a single measure (25ml) of spirits. A small glass of wine (125ml) is about 1.5 units. Your GP can give you help and advice if you’re finding it difficult to cut down your drinking.
Medicine
If you have a particularly high risk of developing CVD due to high blood cholesterol, your GP may recommend taking medicines called statins to reduce your risk.