What Is Heart Disease?
What is heart disease and why should I be concerned?
Heart disease is a name given to a variety of conditions that affect the performance of the heart. Important examples of heart disease include:
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angina, in which there is poor blood circulation to the heart,
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heart attack, in which there is death of part of the heart muscle, and
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arrhythmia, in which the rate or rhythm of the heart beat is abnormal.
In the UK, heart disease kills more people, both men and women, than any other disease. One British adult dies of heart disease every three minutes.
Your heart is the engine that drives your body. It is a powerful muscle that pumps blood to your entire body, providing the oxygen and nutrients that you need to live. The average human heart works at a rate of 100,000 beats a day or an incredible 2,500 million beats over a lifetime of 70 years.
Your heart is designed to last a lifetime, but you have to do your bit to help ensure it stays in good working order. There are many steps you can take to help prevent heart disease from developing. Read on to find out how you can increase your chances of having and maintaining a healthy, functioning heart.