WE FIGHT FOR EVERY HEARTBEAT The British Heart Foundation

Vital, pioneering, caring As the nation’s heart charity we focus on: Research, Prevention, Survival & Support

Your heart – facts and stats Your heart is a muscle about the size of your fist. It pumps blood around your body – using the same amount of force you would use to squeeze a tennis ball! Your body has about 9 pints of blood – pumped around your body three times a minute. Your blood travels 12,000 miles around your body in a day –that’s the same distance from London to Tokyo and back!

What is coronary heart disease? The coronary arteries lie over the surface of the heart, and supply the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood. Gradually, the coronary arteries can become narrowed by the gradual build-up of a fatty substance within their walls.

What is coronary heart disease? When the arteries become so narrow that the blood supply to the heart is restricted, this can cause the symptoms of angina. A heart attack happens If the coronary artery becomes blocked completely – usually by a blood clot.

CHD and stroke 2.7 million people in the UK are living with CHD. CHD is the single leading cause of death in the UK, and accounts for over 88,000 deaths each year. Every 7 minutes someone dies from a heart attack. It’s thought there are 1.2 million people in the UK who have had a stroke. Stroke is the second single leading cause of death in the UK, and accounts for nearly 43,000 deaths each year.

The risk factors Smoking High blood pressure High blood cholesterol Physical inactivity Being overweight or obese Having diabetes A family history of CHD or stroke Your sex Age Ethnic background Other risk factors include, how you deal with stress and having a high alcohol intake.

Prevention – Top 10 tips for a healthy heart 1.Stop smoking 2.Keep to a healthy weight and shape - do you know your body’s measurements? 3.Get active - aim for 150 minutes of activity each week 4.Reduce the amount of fat you eat and read food labels 5.Take five - aim for 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day

Prevention – Top 10 tips for a healthy heart 6.Eat oily fish - a good source of omega-3 fats. 7.Cut down on salt - are you having more than 1 teaspoon per day? (6 grams.) 8.Drink alcohol in moderation 9.Reduce your stress - learn how to relax more! 10.Have a health check! NHS health checks for those aged 40+.

Heart attack? Dial 999 The most common symptoms are: A pain or discomfort in the chest. The pain can spread to the arms, neck and jaw. Chest pain or discomfort which feels like indigestion but which makes you feel generally unwell. Feeling sick, sweaty, short of breath, dizzy or generally unwell, as well as having chest pain or discomfort.

Heart attack? Dial 999 If you think someone may be having a heart attack always call 999 immediately. The longer the time to treatment, the more damage may be caused.

Heart attack v cardiac arrest A heart attack is very different to a cardiac arrest – but they are both medical emergencies. A heart attack usually happens when a clot forms inside a coronary artery, blocking the blood supply to part of the heart muscle. If you’re treated quickly and the blood supply is restored, it’s possible to limit the amount of permanent damage to the heart – so don’t delay calling 999. A cardiac arrest is where the heart stops pumping blood around the body and the person stops breathing. Without immediate emergency life-support skills, including resuscitation, the person will die – so if someone collapses and is unresponsive and may be in cardiac arrest, call 999.

Heart helpline How can the Heart Helpline help me? We're here to help you, whether you're calling about yourself or someone you care about. Our cardiac nurses and heart health advisors are on hand to help you answer any questions or concerns you have about heart health and heart conditions.

Heart Matters Our free service offers a unique package of support and information for people looking to improve their heart health. As a member, you'll benefit from: a welcome pack, including 'A quick guide to heart health', your 5-a-day food diary and a tape measure to check if you are a healthy shape our new online community - join in our discussions to share experiences, stories, tips and ideas with other people like you

Join Heart Matters regular issues of heart matters magazine delivered to your door and access to read the online version free support on healthy eating, quitting smoking and wellbeing a dedicated Helpline staffed by cardiac nurses and heart health advisers access to a members' area with online tools like our great recipe finder.

For more information visit bhf.org.uk Thanks for listening! Any questions?