Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.

It’s usually associated with a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries – known as atherosclerosis – and an increased risk of blood clots. It can also be associated with damage to arteries in organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys and eyes.

CVD is one of the main causes of death and disability in the UK, but it can often largely be prevented with a healthy lifestyle.

Heart disease is a general term used to describe a number of acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) medical conditions that affect the heart. Heart disease is common in the general population, including those of working age, and is the biggest cause of death in the UK. Although heart disease can have genetic causes, lifestyle choices have a large impact on its likelihood.