Virtually all cardiovascular deaths and debilitating strokes are due to one disease: atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is responsible for more deaths in the UK than any other condition.
Atherosclerosis affects the walls of the arteries. Plaques (called atheroma) form in the walls, causing the inner layer to thicken and narrow. This, in turn, causes the arteries to become stiff and narrowed or even blocked.
The disease often produces no symptoms until the damage to the arteries is severe enough to restrict blood flow. Restrictions can give warning signs that include angina, pains in the legs or episodes of dizziness.
Atheromatous plaques are pools of lipids - fats like cholesterol - with a fibrous cap. Plaques that have a large pool of lipids can rupture and leave a raw area on which blood may clot, blocking the blood vessel. In an artery to the heart this causes a heart attack and, possibly, sudden death.
Find out how many deaths are caused by heart disease and other facts about heart disease.
If the blockage is in an artery to the brain, a debilitating stroke or sudden death will occur.
Find out how many deaths are caused by strokes and other facts about stroke.
A plaque may also reduce the blood flow to vital organs, causing symptoms such as angina and impotence, diminishing the quality of life.
The first stages of atherosclerosis can develop in children before they are five years old. By the time we are teenagers, virtually all of us have atheromatous plaques in our arteries. However, for most of us this is not a problem until later in life and depends on the state of the plaques in our arteries.
Smoking is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. But there are many other causes:
In addition:
The facts about heart disease and stroke suggest that environmental factors are significant. However, they also suggest that the development of atherosclerosis can be arrested by the use of lipid lowering drugs and lifestyle changes.