Healthy living, healthy heart Information for African Caribbean communities

About this presentation Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities2 We’re going to look at What cardiovascular disease (CVD) is Why it’s a particular problem for African Caribbean people That’s people with a West Indian background who are descended from black Africans What makes it more likely How to make it less likely

What is cardiovascular disease? Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities Is also called ‘heart and circulatory disease’ 0202 Means all diseases of the heart and circulation 0303 Includes coronary heart disease, like angina or heart attacks, and strokes 0404 Is the most common cause of death in the UK, causing more than 1 in every 3 deaths

What is coronary heart disease? ARTERY WALL Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities4 How fatty deposits build up Your heart needs a constant blood supply Fatty deposits can clog up your arteries That leads to angina, chest pain or discomfort In England, Black Caribbean women are more likely to have angina than any other black / minority ethnic group FATTY DEPOSITS RESTRICTING BLOOD FLOW THROUGH THE ARTERY BLOOD WITHIN THE ARTERY ATHEROMA (FATTY DEPOSITS BUILDING UP)

What is a heart attack? Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities5 A piece of fat breaks off and forms a blood clot that blocks your coronary artery Blood stops reaching your heart, which permanently damages it In England, Black Caribbean men are more likely to have heart attacks than any other black or minority ethnic group A heart attack happens when You can lose consciousness or even die

What should I do? Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities6 IF YOU SPOT ANY OF THESE SYMPTOM S, CALL 999 Chest pain or discomfort Spreading to your arms, neck, jaw, stomach or back Like indigestion but making you feel generally unwell A dull pain, ache or ‘heavy’ feeling in your chest Feeling sick, sweaty, breathless, lightheaded, dizzy or generally unwell

What is a stroke? Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities7 A blood clot blocks the blood supply to your brain A stroke is when… The way your body and mind works is effected Brain cells are damaged or destroyed African Caribbean people are twice as likely to have a stroke as people of European origin

F acial weakness – can you smile? Has your eye or mouth drooped? What is a stroke? A rm weakness – can you raise both arms? s peech problems – can you speak clearly and can others understand what you’re saying? T ime to call 999 8Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities IF YOU THINK THAT YOU OR ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING A STROKE, YOU NEED TO ACT FaST

What are the CVD risk factors? Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities9 Risks you can manage… Risks you can’t… 0101 Smoking 0202 High blood pressure 0303 High cholesterol 0404 Not exercising 0505 Being overweight or obese 0606 Having diabetes 0707 Your income and job 0808 How you deal with stress A family history of heart disease Ethnic Background Aging

How can I reduce my CVD risk? 10Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities Get a health check Take ACTION! The gp will prescribe you any treatment you need. There’s a lot you can do yourself. Blood tests for cholesterol and sometimes glucose Height, weight and blood pressure measurements

Stop smoking Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities11 Smoking damages your heart and clogs your arteries Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals AROUND 1 IN YEAR OLD AFRICAN CARIBBEAN PEOPLE SMOKE Blood clots are more likely if you smoke Passive smoking makes heart disease more likely Stopping can have your risk of heart disease in a year

African Caribbean people are more at risk than any other UK ethnic group Manage your blood pressure Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities12 Do more physical activity 01 Keep to a healthy weight 02 Cut down on salt 03 Drink less alcohol 04 Eat more fruit and veg 05 Stop smoking 06

Replace saturated fats with healthier fats Reduce your cholesterol levels Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities13 Eating too much saturated fat’s the most common cause of cholesterol problems Eat less fatty or sugary food Drink less alcohol Exercise regularly

30 minutes of light exercise a day, 5 days a week, will help: Keep physically active 14Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels Reduce the risk of diabetes Relieve stress Keep your weight down

Keep physically active 15Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities When you exercise, make sure you: Start slowly and then gradually build up Warm up and cool down properly Stop exercising and talk to your GP if you start feeling unwell Get medical advice if you’ve had any serious health problems

Keep to a healthy weight… Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities African Caribbean men tend to be more obese than other UK ethnic minority groups 02 Staying trim helps deal with diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol problems Weight in stones Height in feet and inches Height in metres

…and know your body shape 17Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities Your health is at risk if you have a waist size of: Your health is at high risk if you have a waist size of: Men Over 94 cm (37 inches)Over 102 cm (40 inches) Wome n Over 80cm (about 31.5 inches)Over 88cm (about 34.5 inches) 0101 Eat healthily 0202 Exercise more 0303 Aim for slow, steady weight loss To lose weight African Caribbean women tend to put on weight around the waist Reducing your waist size can help you stay healthy

Avoid diabetes African Caribbean people are more likely to have problems with diabetes It usually develops gradually after the age of 40 Exercise regularly, eat a healthy, balanced diet and keep an eye on your weight and body shape It happens when your body’s having problems producing or using insulin It can increase the amount of sugar in your blood to dangerous levels Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

Know your family history Families can pass on bad lifestyle habits, and genes might also play a role You’re at particular risk if several family members have had heart problems If a close relative developed CVD at a young age, you might be at risk too Tell your doctor and take a look at your own lifestyle 19Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

Cut down on salt, as African Caribbean people are particularly sensitive to the problems it causes Eat at least five portions of fresh, frozen, chilled, canned, dried, cooked or raw fruit and veg a day Eat less fatty food, and in particular cut down on saturated and trans fats Eat at least two portions of fish a week, with one being oily fish Eat healthily A healthy, balanced diet can help protect your heart Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities TRY TO

Keep an eye on your drinking 1 unit of alcohol = Half a pint (300ml) of beer, bitter, lager or cider (3.5% alcohol by volume) A pub measure (25ml) of spirits such as gin, vodka, whiskey or rum A small glass (100ml) of wine (10% alcohol by volume) or 0303 Don’t binge drink – it can double your CVD risk 04 Keep track of your drinking at bhf.org.uk/alcohol 0101 Only drink 3 to 4 units a day if you’re a man 02 Only drink 2 to 3 units a day if you’re a woman To drink healthily, make sure you: 21Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

Deal with stress the right way 22Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities IT’S IMPORTANT TO LEARN HOW TO RELAX AND DEAL WITH STRESS EFFECTIVELY Stress can encourage people to smoke, drink too much, eat unhealthily or not exercise These can all make heart disease more likely

Other ways we can help you We’re the nation’s heart charity Visit our website at bhf.org.uk or call our Heart Helpline on Find out more about reducing your risks at bhf.org.uk/africancaribbean Order our publications by calling , ing or visiting bhf.org.uk/publications Join Heart Matters by visiting 23Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities