Healthy living, healthy heart

1. Healthy living, healthy heart Information for African Caribbean communities

2. About this presentation • 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 Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

3. What is cardiovascular disease? 01 • Is also called ‘heart and circulatory disease’ 02 • Means all diseases of the heart and circulation 03 • Includes coronary heart disease, like angina or heart attacks, and strokes 04 • Is the most common cause of death in the UK, causing more than 1 in every 3 deaths Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

4. What is coronary heart disease? • How fatty deposits build up ATHEROMA (FATTY DEPOSITS BUILDING UP) • Your heart needs a constant blood supply • Fatty deposits can clog up your arteries • That leads to angina, chest painor discomfort • In England, Black Caribbean womenare more likely to have angina than anyother black / minority ethnic group 01 ARTERY WALL 02 03 04 BLOOD WITHIN THE ARTERY FATTY DEPOSITS RESTRICTINGBLOOD FLOW THROUGH THE ARTERY Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

5. What is a heart attack? • A heart attack happens when 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 You can lose consciousness or even die In England, Black Caribbean men are more likely to have heart attacks than any other black or minority ethnic group Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

6. What should I do? • Chest pain or discomfort • Spreading to your arms, neck,jaw, stomach or back • Like indigestion but making youfeel generally unwell IF YOU SPOTANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS,CALL 999 A dull pain, ache or ‘heavy’feeling in your chest Feeling sick, sweaty,breathless, lightheaded, dizzyor generally unwell Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

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

8. What is a stroke? F • acialweakness – can you smile? Has your eye or mouth drooped? IF YOU THINK THATYOU OR ANYONEELSE IS HAVING ASTROKE, YOU NEEDTO ACT FaST A • rm weakness – can youraise both arms? s • peechproblems – can you speak clearly and can others understand what you’re saying? T • imeto call 999 Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

9. What are the CVD risk factors? • Risks you can manage… • Risks you can’t… 01 Smoking A family historyof heart disease 02 High blood pressure 03 High cholesterol 04 Not exercising 05 Being overweight or obese Aging 06 Having diabetes 07 Your income and job Ethnic Background 08 How you deal with stress Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

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

11. Stop smoking AROUND 1 IN 434-55 YEAR OLDAFRICAN CARIBBEAN PEOPLE SMOKE • Smoking damages your heart and clogs your arteries • Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals • Blood clots are more likely if you smoke • Passive smoking makes heart disease more likely • Stopping can have your riskof heart disease in a year Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

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

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

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

15. Keep physically active • 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 GPif you start feeling unwell • Get medical advice if you’ve had anyserious health problems 01 02 03 04 Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

16. Keep to a healthy weight… 01 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 Height in metres Height in feet and inches Weight in stones Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

17. …and know your body shape African Caribbean women tend to put on weight around the waist Reducing your waist size can help you stay healthy To lose weight 01 02 • Eat healthily • Exercise more 03 • Aim for slow, steady weight loss Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

18. Avoid diabetes • African Caribbean people are more likely to have problems with diabetes 01 • 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 02 03 04 Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

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

20. Eat healthily • A healthy, balanced diet can help protect your heart TRY TO 01 • 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 02 03 04 Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

21. Keep an eye on your drinking To drink healthily, make sure you: 1 unit of alcohol = Half a pint (300ml) of beer, bitter, lager or cider (3.5% alcohol by volume) 01 • Only drink 3 to 4 units a day if you’re a man or 02 A pub measure (25ml) of spirits such as gin, vodka, whiskey or rum • Only drink 2 to 3 units a day if you’re a woman or 03 • Don’t binge drink – it can double your CVD risk A small glass (100ml) of wine (10% alcohol by volume) 04 • Keep track of your drinking at bhf.org.uk/alcohol Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

22. Deal with stress the right way • Stress can encourage people to smoke, drink too much, eat unhealthily ornot exercise IT’S IMPORTANTTO LEARN HOW TO RELAXAND DEAL WITHSTRESS EFFECTIVELY • These can all make heart disease more likely Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities

23. 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 0300 330 3311 Find out more about reducing your risks at bhf.org.uk/africancaribbean • Order our publications by calling 0870 600 6566, emailing orderline@bhf.org.uk or visiting bhf.org.uk/publications • Join Heart Matters by visiting heartmatters@bhf.org.uk Healthy Living, Healthy Heart - Information for African Caribbean Communities