Heart Disease

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease covers several conditions that affect the heart, the most common being coronary artery disease, in which fatty plaques narrow the arteries that supply the heart muscle. It can lead to angina, heart attack, heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, yet much of the risk comes from factors that can be measured and changed: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight and smoking. Blood tests cannot diagnose heart disease on their own, but they are central to estimating your risk. Chest pain, pressure or breathlessness that comes on suddenly is an emergency — call 998 or go to an emergency department rather than booking a test.

Symptoms

• ●Chest pain or discomfort
• ●Shortness of breath
• ●Pain in neck, jaw, or back
• ●Fatigue
• ●Swelling in legs
• ●Irregular heartbeat

What Causes Heart Disease?

Coronary artery disease develops when cholesterol-rich plaque builds up inside the artery walls over many years (atherosclerosis), narrowing them and making clots more likely. High LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking all damage the arteries and speed this process. Other forms of heart disease can be caused by damaged heart valves, infections, inherited conditions or problems with the heart's electrical system.

Risk Factors

• ⚠High blood pressure
• ⚠High LDL cholesterol
• ⚠Diabetes
• ⚠Smoking, including shisha
• ⚠Obesity and physical inactivity
• ⚠Family history of early heart disease

How to Prevent Heart Disease

Not smoking, staying active for at least 150 minutes a week, eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and fish while limiting salt, sugar and saturated fat, and keeping a healthy weight all lower the risk. Just as important is knowing your numbers: regular checks of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar allow problems to be treated before they damage the heart.

When to Get Tested

Most healthy adults should have their cholesterol checked every four to six years, and more often if they have heart disease, diabetes or a family history of high cholesterol. A lipid profile together with HbA1c or fasting glucose gives your doctor most of what is needed to estimate your cardiovascular risk; hs-CRP, lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein B can add detail in selected cases.

References & Sources

• [1]
  WHO — Cardiovascular DiseasesAccessed: 2026-02-14
• [2]
  Mayo Clinic — Heart DiseaseAccessed: 2026-02-14
• [3]
  NHS — Cardiovascular DiseaseAccessed: 2026-02-14
• [4]
  CDC — Getting Your Cholesterol CheckedAccessed: 2026-10-03