What it is
It is usually linked to fatty deposits building up in the arteries. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, inactivity, being overweight and drinking too much alcohol all raise the risk.
Knowing your numbers, such as blood pressure and cholesterol, and estimating your overall risk helps you and your doctor decide whether medicines are worthwhile alongside lifestyle changes.
Common signs
- Often none until a heart attack or stroke
- Chest pain or tightness on exertion
- Breathlessness
- Leg pain when walking
- Signs of stroke or mini-stroke
How it is usually diagnosed
- Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checks
- Risk scores that estimate your 10-year risk
- ECG, echocardiogram and exercise tests where needed
- Scans of the heart or arteries
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Blood pressure readings over time
- Cholesterol and blood sugar results
- Your calculated risk score and the date it was done
- ECG, echo and scan reports
Questions to ask your doctor
- What is my 10-year risk, and what affects it most?
- Would a statin or blood pressure medicine help me?
- How often should I have my numbers checked?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Chest pain that spreads to the arm, jaw or back, or lasts more than a few minutes: call 112
- Face drooping, arm weakness or speech problems: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.