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Heart disease

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Heart disease (also known as coronary disease or ischaemic heart disease) is the most common type of heart problem in the UK. It is a serious condition which is caused when the arteries around the heart become blocked or narrowed, which means the heart has to pump much harder to get enough blood. 

The most common symptoms of heart disease are angina (chest pains), feeling breathless, heart attacks and heart failure. Many people who have a coronary condition may not realise they have it until they have a heart attack or begin to feel chest pains.

Health and lifestyle factors can have a large bearing on the risk of heart disease. You can reduce your risk by:

To learn more about heart disease and its treatment, or if you have any concerns about your heart, speak to your GP. 

One You Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster provide personal healthy lifestyle coaching and group support sessions that will help you to make positive changes and improve your health and wellbeing. They support residents to lose weight, exercise more, stop smoking, drink less, eat more healthily and address psychological challenges.
Email: oneyou.kcw@reedwellbeing.org.uk
Tel: 0808 175 6385

The NHS website provides information on heart disease and treatment.  NHS Better Health has support, information and a mobile apps which you can download to your phone that offers reminders, support and practical advice.

The British Heart Foundation has information on how various heart conditions and advice on how to keep your heart healthy; you may find their collection of information booklets particularly useful.

Heart UK offer advice to people on heart disease, particularly in relation to high cholesterol and an unhealthy diets.

The Arrhythmia Alliance works to improve the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for all those affected by irregular heart beats.

Easy Read The Easy Health website has gathered together various videos and easy-read leaflets which will help people with learning disabilities to understand more about heart disease.

Last updated: 06/12/2024