What Impacts Heart Health: Symptoms, Risks, and Prevention Strategies

What Impacts Heart Health?

February is cardiovascular health awareness month, a time to highlight the importance of heart health and prevention. According to the British Heart Foundation, these conditions are responsible for a quarter of all deaths in the UK—over 170,000 each year, averaging 480 deaths daily or one every three minutes. More than 7.6 million people in the UK live with a heart or circulatory disease, including over 4 million men and 3.6 million women. 

Cardiovascular disease can often be silent, with no obvious symptoms until a serious event occurs, such as a heart attack or stroke. When symptoms do appear, they may include chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, fatigue, and swelling in the legs— symptoms can often be vague. Recognising risk factors early is key to prevention.

Understanding what impacts your heart health is key to taking control of it. We will now explore the key risk factors that may contribute to cardiovascular disease. 

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Diet and Heart Health

Cholesterol
Cholesterol isn’t all bad and it is essential for cell function. However, too much of it, especially in the wrong balance, can be a problem. Excess cholesterol can build up in your arteries, forming plaques that make it harder for blood to flow to your heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks.

Key blood tests:

• Total cholesterol – Measures overall cholesterol levels.
• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) – The "bad" cholesterol that contributes to plaque formation.
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) – The "good" cholesterol that helps clear excess cholesterol from arteries.
• ApoB (Apolipoprotein B) – A more precise marker for LDL-related risk.
• Lipoprotein (a) – A genetic marker that increases the risk of heart disease, even if LDL is normal.
• High-sensitivity CRP (C-reactive protein) – Measures inflammation, which plays a big role in heart disease progression.
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‍Salt and High Blood Pressure
Too much salt (sodium) increases blood pressure by drawing more water into your blood vessels, making the heart pump harder. Over time, this strains the arteries, leading to damage that can increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Unhealthy Fats
Not all fats are the same. Saturated and trans fats raise LDL cholesterol levels and contribute to artery blockage. In contrast, unsaturated fats (found in nuts, seeds, and olive oil) improve cholesterol balance and reduce inflammation.

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Alcohol and Heart Health

Excessive alcohol consumption raises blood pressure and increases cholesterol levels. It also promotes inflammation, which can accelerate plaque buildup in arteries. While some studies suggest moderate alcohol intake (like red wine) may have benefits, the risks of excess drinking far outweigh any potential positives.

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Physical Activity and Heart Health

Inactivity
A sedentary lifestyle leads to poor circulation, weight gain, and higher cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Lack of movement also contributes to insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, a major heart disease risk factor.

Regular Exercise
Exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, and raises HDL (the "good" cholesterol). Even moderate activity like walking 30 minutes a day has a significant impact.

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Obesity and Heart Strain

Being overweight or obese forces the heart to work harder, increasing blood pressure and inflammation. Fat around the abdomen (visceral fat) is particularly harmful, as it releases chemicals that promote inflammation and insulin resistance, both of which contribute to heart disease.

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Medical Conditions and Heart Risk

Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes significantly increases heart disease risk by damaging blood vessels and promoting inflammation. High blood sugar leads to stiff arteries and poor circulation, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks.

Smoking
Smoking damages artery walls, making them more prone to plaque buildup. It also reduces oxygen supply to the heart, forcing it to work harder and increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Family History
If close family members have had heart disease, your risk is higher. Genetic factors influence cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and how your body handles inflammation. Lipoprotein (a) is a key genetic marker that can help assess inherited risk. 

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Other Factors That Affect Heart Health

Stress
Chronic stress triggers the release of cortisol, which raises blood pressure, increases inflammation, and contributes to unhealthy eating habits. Stress also affects sleep, another critical factor in heart health.
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How your heart changes with age

Researchers at the University of Bristol have identified a gene (BPIFB4) that may slow heart ageing, offering new insights into longevity. Professor Paolo Madeddu emphasises that both lifestyle and genetics contribute to healthy ageing, and this discovery could lead to future treatments for age-related heart conditions.

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Indicators and Symptoms of Heart Disease to Watch For

Heart disease can often be silent, progressing without noticeable symptoms until a serious event occurs. However, warning signs to watch for include chest pain or discomfort, breathlessness, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, and pain in the arms, neck, jaw, or back.

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How We Assess Heart Risk at Elevate

At Elevate, we take a proactive approach to heart health by offering a comprehensive set of tests that go beyond basic cholesterol checks.

• Comprehensive history and examination, focusing on a range of symptoms, which may be a result of heart disease, as well as exploring risk factors such as strong family history and lifestyle factors. 
• Blood tests (Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, ApoB, Lipoprotein (a), high-sensitivity CRP) to assess lipid balance and inflammation.
• Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) Testing – A cutting-edge genetic test that helps identify individuals at higher genetic risk for heart disease. PRS can provide valuable insights into long-term risk, even when conventional markers appear normal. 
• Echocardiogram to check heart structure and function.
• ECG (electrocardiogram) over 1-2 days to monitor heart rhythms and detect early signs of arrhythmias or other issues.

By combining cutting-edge diagnostics with a lifestyle-focused approach, we help you take control of your heart health before problems arise.

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Take Action

Your heart health is in your hands. Small, consistent changes in diet, exercise, and stress management can have a huge impact. At Elevate, we help you understand your risk and take practical steps to protect your heart for the long term.

Book your heart health assessment today and take the first step towards a healthier future.

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