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Heart health and blood vessels

Diet, exercise and generally looking after your body can all help toward a healthy heart. Simple lifestyle changes could help keep your ticker ticking.

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blood pressure

Heart health and blood vessels

High blood pressure

by Dr Doug McKechnie, MRCGP

cholesterol

Heart health and blood vessels

High cholesterol

by Dr Rosalyn Adleman, MRCGP

statins

Treatment and medication

Statins and other lipid-lowering medicines

by Dr Rachel Hudson, MRCGP

Palpitations

Heart health and blood vessels

Bradycardia

by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP

Blood pressure

Abnormal blood pressure generally refers to high blood pressure (hypertension) or low blood pressure (hypotension). Because it often has no symptoms, checking it regularly is crucial to prevent serious complications like heart attacks or strokes.

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Blood vessel disorders

Blood vessel disorders, or vascular diseases, affect your arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. They range from conditions restricting blood flow due to plaque buildup to vessel inflammation and blood clots.

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Heart attack

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when a sudden blockage or severe reduction in blood flow cuts off the oxygen supply to a part of the heart muscle. This is a medical emergency.

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Heart disease

Heart disease includes various conditions affecting the heart's valves, muscle and blood supply. Causes can be structural problems from birth, faulty genes, or lifestyle factors like smoking or poor diet.

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Heart failure

When the heart struggles to pump blood, it’s called heart failure. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments that help manage the condition.

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Heart infections

Infections can affect the heart lining or valves. Learn the symptoms of heart infections and how early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes.

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Heart palpitations

Normally, we are not consciously aware of our heart beating. Heart palpitations are when you become aware of your heart beating with the sensation of a racing, pounding, or fluttering heartbeat. They are often caused by stress, anxiety, caffeine, or hormone changes.

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Heart tests

Heart tests include ECGs, echocardiograms and stress tests. Learn how these investigations help diagnose heart conditions and guide treatment.

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High cholesterol

High cholesterol occurs when you have too much fatty substance in your blood. It typically causes no symptoms but drastically increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Managing it requires lifestyle changes and potentially prescription medication.

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Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. It requires immediate medical attention to minimise brain damage and long-term disability.

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