Heart disease is the biggest killer in St Helens and has clear links to lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, poor diet and a lack of physical exercise. In fact, coronary heart disease accounts for 25% of all male deaths and 18% of all female deaths in Merseyside.
If you are worried about your heart/blood pressure, the best place to go for further information and preliminary tests would be your GP.
Healthy Heart is a local NHS website that helps you explore ways in which you can increase your chances of living a longer and healthier life and avoiding problems that heart disease brings.
Heart of Mersey is England’s largest regional cardiovascular health charity working across Merseyside and Cheshire (and beyond) to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related conditions such as cancer, diabetes and stroke. They can provide a range of information about heart conditions and how to look after your heart.
The British Heart Foundation is a national charity that helps all people affected by heart disease. They can provide information and advice through their website and Heart Helpline (0300 330 3311) about symptoms, tests, treatment and recovery, and they also have Bereavement Support Officers to help people who have suffered a loss through heart disease. ‘Heart Matters’ is a free service from the BHF that provides a welcome pack, useful information, regular magazine and access to an online support community.
Further information about heart disease can also be found at NHS Choices, Heart UK (Cholesterol), Heart Research UK, British Cardiovascular Society and National Heart Forum.