Heart and Stroke Disease
Our body relies on blood supply to supply oxygen and nutrients to its vital organs.
Angina is chest pain and breathlessness on activity, which is relieved by rest. It is caused by tight blood supply to the heart muscles. A Heart Attack is where the blood supply gets completely blocked and causes the muscles of the heart to die; this usually causes severe chest pain and breathlessness that doesnt go away with rest. Call 999 immediately. The sooner the blockage is dealt with the less damage will be done and the lower chance of death.
A stroke is when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off causing brain cells begin to die. This can lead to brain damage and possibly death. Strokes are a medical emergency and prompt treatment is essential because the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen. The NHS Stroke Act FAST pages offer a great deal of information about stroke, including how to recognise the signs, some real stories of stroke sufferers and advice on how to live your life after a stroke.
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or 'mini-stroke', is caused by a temporary fall in the blood supply to part of the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can cause symptoms that are similar to a stroke, however a TIA typically lasts less than 24 hours. It is important that they are always investigated so that appropriate treatment can be given quickly to reduce the risk of a further TIA or a full stroke.
Prevention is better than cure. Fortunately there are ways to reduce your risk of these conditions happening. Stopping smoking and keeping active are key. Medication has made a big difference to the number of people dieing of heart and stroke disease (for example treating high blood pressure, high cholesterol and having good diabetic control).
NHS Inform - Stroke
Chest Heart & Stroke Charity (Scotland)