Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary Heart Disease, sometimes known as coronary artery disease or ischemic heart disease, affects over 2.3 million people in the UK. 1 in 8 men in the UK die from coronary heart disease.
This disease is caused by fatty deposits that can obstruct blood flow to the heart by narrowing arteries. It kills twice as many women as breast cancer every year in the UK. (British Heart Foundation, 2026)
About 1 in 20 adults aged 20 and older have coronary heart disease. But many people don’t know they have the disease until they have chest pain; the blood flow to their heart is blocked, causing a heart attack; or their heart suddenly stops pumping blood, also known as cardiac arrest.
Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease
There are several symptoms of coronary heart disease, including:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in your neck, shoulders, jaw or arms
- Feeling faint
- Nausea
- Heart attacks
(NHS, 2026)
If you recognise any of these symptoms, contact your GP.
Risk Factors
You are considered to be at a higher risk of coronary heart disease if you:
- Have high cholesterol: Cholesterol is a fat made by the liver from the saturated fat in your diet. It's essential for healthy cells, but too much in the blood can lead to CHD.
- Have high blood pressure: High blood pressure can put a strain on your heart.
- Are suffering from obesity or have a poor diet: A poor diet can allow for fatty deposits to develop in your arteries.
- Have diabetes: Diabetes can more than double your risk of developing CHD. Diabetes may cause your blood lining to become thicker, restricting blood flow.
- Smoke: Smoking increases your chance of developing a number of health conditions. Chemicals found in tobacco, can put a strain on your heart.
- Are physically inactive: Being inactive can also allow for fatty deposits to develop in your arteries.
- Thrombosis: Thrombosis is a blood clot in a vein or artery. If you develop a blood clot, this can break off and travel to your heart, which can cause a heart attack.
- Over 45: CHD risk increases as you age. Men over 45 and women over 55 are more likely to develop CHD.
- Family history: If you have family members who have a history of coronary heart disease, your CHD risk is increased.
The NHS advise that you can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease by doing regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and quitting smoking.
The NHS offer free health checks to assess your risk of coronary heart disease, if you’re between 40 and 74 years old and live in the UK. Concerned about your risk of developing CHD? Contact your GP to find out more information.
Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/coronary-heart-disease
[Accessed 19th June 2026].
Heart Research UK, 2026. Coronary Heart Disease. [Online]
Available at: https://heartresearch.org.uk/information/heart-conditions/coronary-heart-disease-chd/
[Accessed 19th June 2026].
NHS, 2026. Coronary Heart Disease. [Online]
Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease/
[Accessed 19th June 2026].
This article provides general information only and is not medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, please speak to a healthcare professional.
