Cardiovascular conditions are one of the five priority areas we are focusing on to improve the health and wellbeing of people in our area.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the name for a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease and stroke. CVD is the biggest reason for the gap in life expectancy across the Central East area, and is responsible for around one in four premature deaths – the second biggest cause in the UK.
Risk factors that can be changed
Many of the risks linked to CVD can be reduced. These include:
- smoking
- obesity
- high blood pressure
- physical inactivity.
These same risks also increase people’s likelihood of developing other serious conditions, such as cancer and respiratory disease. Reducing these risks can improve overall health and prevent a wide range of illnesses.
Preventing disease and reducing risk
By taking proactive early action we can prevent many cases of CVD. This includes:
- identifying people at risk as early as possible
- understanding levels of risk across the population
- offering support and treatment before problems become serious.
Supporting people with long‑term conditions
Better, more coordinated care for people with long‑term conditions can:
- reduce avoidable hospital admissions
- improve health outcomes
- reduce inequalities
- make better use of clinical time and resources.
Identifying and managing high‑risk groups
Some people are at higher risk because of conditions such as hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol) and hypertension (high blood pressure). Using population data to find these groups early means they can get the right support sooner.