| Cholesterol |
This is a fatty substance found normally in blood. We need a
certain amount for general health. In some people, blood
cholesterol can be too high increasing their risk of developing
heart disease. As our body makes most of the cholesterol we need,
adults do not need to consume cholesterol from diet. |
| Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol |
LDL cholesterol carries cholesterol from your liver to body
cells. It is particularly linked with an increased risk of heart
disease. Eating foods high in saturated fats can raise your LDL but
eating plant stanol ester can lower your LDL. |
| High density lipoprotein (HDL)
cholesterol |
In contrast, HDL cholesterol is beneficial because it helps get
rid of excess blood cholesterol. This lowers your risk of heart
disease. People who exercise regularly tend to have a higher
HDL. |
| Triglyceride |
This is another blood fat which may increase the risk of heart
disease when it is elevated. Overweight people and those who drink
too much alcohol often have raised triglyceride levels. |
| Atherosclerosis |
A build-up of cholesterol inside the artery wall that leads to
development of a plaque. |
| Diastolic and systolic blood pressure |
Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats,
pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When the heart
is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is the
diastolic pressure. |
| Ischaemic heart disease |
Reduced blood supply to the heart muscle, usually caused by
coronary artery disease. |
| Coronary heart disease |
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a condition in which the small
blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart (coronary
arteries) are narrowed. This narrowing is caused by atherosclerosis
which occurs when fatty material and plaque build up on the walls
of the arteries. As the coronary arteries narrow, blood flow to the
heart can slow down or stop, which can cause chest pain, shortness
of breath, or a heart attack. Factors like elevated LDL
cholesterol, smoking and high blood pressure increase the risk of
coronary heart disease. |
| Coronary artery disease |
A build up of fatty deposits inside the walls of the coronary
arteries (vessels which feed the heart). This can lead to
blockages. The blockage is called atherosclerosis. |
| Myocardial infarction |
The destruction of heart tissue resulting from obstruction of
the blood supply to the heart. Also called a 'heart attack'. |
| Stroke |
A stroke happens when the artery (vessel) carrying blood to
your brain is blocked, or when an artery bleeds into your
brain. |
| EGC |
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test of how well your heart is
performing. As the heart beats, electrical signals are sent around
the heart muscle. These are picked up by the ECG and shown as a
wave which can then be printed out and assessed by your
doctor. |
| Stress test |
A cardiac stress test can be carried out when your doctor wants
to check blood flow to the heart during physical exercise. You
would exercise on a treadmill or stationery bicycle while an ECG is
carried out. |