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Coronary heart disease refers to
heart attacks and angina (chest pain brought on by exercise). It is something that is unfortunately
common in Britain, and it is something we can do something to
prevent.
Smoking
The biggest factor of all is smoking.
Anyone with heart disease, or who wants to reduce their risk, simply
must not smoke – and try to avoid other people’s smoke (‘passive smoking’). The evidence on this is certain, and it
is the main factor to reduce the risk.
High Blood Pressure
This increases
the risk and, unfortunately perhaps, high blood pressure doesn’t cause
symptoms (it is often blamed for them though!). It is wise to have a regular check – we like to do it about
every 3 years as long as the levels are acceptable, and more often if it is
a bit raised.
Cholesterol
There are many misunderstandings about cholesterol. First, we all need cholesterol, but if
we have a lot in our blood it does increase the risk of heart disease. There has been a lot of discussion
recently about cholesterol, and at the moment the best advice is for
everyone to cut down their eating of fat (especially ‘saturated fat’ –
butter, egg yolks, cheese, fat on meat, etc.) and eat more fibre (roughage)
in their diet.
It is not necessary for everyone to have a measurement
of their cholesterol done, unless they are at a special risk – see below.
Very few people need to take
medicine to reduce their cholesterol, but if everyone reduced their fat
intake, the risk of heart disease would be reduced also.
Exercise
Regular physical activity has been shown to be helpful – at least 3
sessions a week of any exercise sufficient to make you a bit breathless
will reduce your heart disease risk and make you feel fitter. If you don’t exercise already, build up
to it steadily over three to four weeks, and keep it going!
Overweight
Being
overweight increases the risk – a good diet and exercise will help. If you would like specific help with
dieting, please ask to see a practice nurse.
Family
History
Some families have the bad luck to have a lot of heart disease. If you come from a family where angina
and heart attacks are common in close relatives under 55, it is
worth having your cholesterol measured.
The practice nurse can arrange this.
Other
Factors
Less certain, but a diet with lots of antioxidants may well help –
that is up to 5 portions a day of fruit and vegetables (especially coloured
vegetables like carrots and broccoli).
It certainly has a lot of general health benefits. Incidentally, stress probably doesn’t
have much part to play!
Remember,
the main thing is to avoid smoking – the rest are important, but anyone
worried about heart disease who still smokes has every reason to
worry. We know it is not easy to
stop, but if you are a smoker and want help, do ask any doctor, nurse or
receptionist for our Stop Smoking leaflet.
Lastly
the good news, it seems as if a small quantity of alcohol can actually help
reduce heart disease! About 5 or 6
units a week seem to have some benefit – so don’t worry about a bit of
alcohol, it may be good for you.
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