1. Heart Attack And Stroke
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2. Northern Ireland Statistics
In Northern Ireland, out of every 5 deaths 2 of these are due to a chest, heart or stroke condition – that’s 40% of all deaths per day there are 11 strokes and 12 heart attacks and 200k people in NI are living with chest, heart or stroke conditions. Many of these could have been prevented. 01

3. What is a Heart Attack?
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack is when a blocked artery occurs due to over the years cholesterol building up in the arteries and causes them to narrow.
If this build up becomes unstable, a piece may break off and lead to a blood clot forming.
This clot can block the coronary artery and prevents the flow of blood to the heart meaning oxygen can’t get to the heart properly and part of the heart muscle stops working. This is known as a heart attack.
Thankfully if the heart attack is not severe, individuals lives will not be affected by it and if they change their lifestyle habit to healthier ones, they can go on to live for a long time.
A blocked artery means oxygen can’t get to the heart properly and part of the heart muscle dies. 02

4. Heart Conditions
Coronary heart disease is usually caused by the build–up of fatty deposits (plaque) on the walls of the coronary arteries which narrows them.
An arrhythmia is a change in the rhythm of the heart. The heart rate can become abnormally rapid, slow and/or irregular. Most arrhythmia are harmless, but some can be serious. When the rate is too slow, too fast or irregular, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood around the body. When this occurs it needs to be investigated and treated.
Congenital heart disease is the most commonly occurring serious congenital abnormality affecting children. It is the name given to heart conditions that babies are born with. It happens all over the world, in families from all walks of life.   
The heart is made up of four main sections called chambers, with four valves controlling how the blood flows between these chambers and around the body. Congenital heart disease is when any of these chambers or valves has not developed properly when the baby was in the womb.  
Angina is the pain or discomfort experienced when the heart muscle doesn’t get as much oxygen as it needs due to the build up of fatty deposits (plaque) on the walls of the arteries. It is a common warning sign of coronary heart disease. 03

5. https://nichs.org.uk/your-health/peoples-stories/geoff-story/
Geoff’s Story
You can listen to Geoff’s story about his experience of a heart attack. 04

6. Symptoms
Something feels a bit off. You might not be able to put finger on it.
Tightness feels like someone is tightening a belt around the chest really tightly – it won't go away.
The pain in the left arm is more common in men while the pain in the neck and jaw is more common in women - but can happen either way to both.
Shortness of breath is due to the tightness.
You might not experience all the symptoms, perhaps only one or two and they can be quite mild.
It is important that you call an ambulance even if you are unsure. 05

7. What is a Stroke?
Does anyone know where a stroke occurs? In the brain.
The Americans call it a brain attack, because it happens in the same way as a heart attack only in the brain. So if an artery to the brain gets blocked, blood and therefore oxygen can’t get to that part of the brain and that part of the brain stops working.
Unfortunately, unlike a heart attack, if a stroke occurs you are usually left with a reminder of it as it affects parts of the workings of the body.
A blocked artery means oxygen can’t get to the brain properly and part of the brain muscle dies. The Americans call it a brain attack. 06

8. Types of Stroke
The most common stroke is when an ischemic stroke - the artery becomes blocked due to a build up of cholesterol (fat in the blood) over the years, causing the arteries to narrow. If this build up becomes unstable, a piece may break off and lead to a blood clot forming. This clot can block an artery to the brain, preventing the flow of blood and oxygen to a part of the brain.
A Haemorrhagic stroke is caused due to a bleed in the brain, for example if a blood vessel bursts.
TIA (mini stroke) is a set of symptoms similar to those of a stroke. It can last from a few minutes to a few hours but the symptoms disappear within 24 hours. A TIA may not cause serious illness, but can be a warning sign of a more serious stroke and always needs immediate medical attention. 07

9. https://nichs.org.uk/your-health/stroke-conditions/
Christine and Alan’s Story
You can listen to Geoff’s story about his experience of a heart attack. 08

10. Symptoms
Do you know the symptoms of a stroke? Have you seen or heard the ads? Go through the letters. The sooner you call 999 the less damage likely to occur to the individual. 09

11. Risk Factors
Background risk factors are uncontrollable : age, gender, family history, other health conditions
Family
Age – the risk of a heart and stroke increases with age
Gender – men are at more risk of heart disease than women
Ethnic origin – people from afro caribbean or south east asian background have an increased chance of a heart attack or stroke
If you have already had a stroke or heart attack
Family history – if your parents or grandparents had a heart attack or stroke at an early age (under 55 for men and under 65 for women) your own chances will be higher.
Behavioural (i.e. lifestyle choices) risk factors – smoking, alcohol, lack of exercise and unhealthy diet
Intermediate risk factors (i.e. caused by the lifestyle choices) - High blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes 10

12. Advice Cut back on the booze Stub out smoking Kids Adults 60 mins of
P.A
a day
Eat a
balanced
diet
Adults
150 mins
of PA a
week
Stub out smoking
Cut back on the booze
In summary:
Eat a balanced diet
Children - 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity a day
Adults – 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity a week
Stub out smoking
Cut back on the booze 11

13. Further Information & Help
Chest, Heart and Stroke Belfast - (0) or visit -
Stroke Association -  Helpline 0303 3033 100
Or visit 12

14. Any Questions?

15. Thank You