To mark World Heart Day on Saturday 29 September, consultants at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital are reminding members of the public how they can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), of the heart or blood vessels, largely occurs because of a blood clot or a build up of fat inside your arteries.

Blood flow to the heart, brain or body is reduced causing heart attacks, strokes and poor limb circulation.

Dr Adrian Rozkovec, Consultant Physician and Cardiologist said: “CVD is the leading cause of death and disability in the UK, many which are premature. Simple lifestyle changes really can save lives and reduce the risk of CVD. The risk factors with this, as with many other diseases, include smoking, poor diet, being overweight and stress.”

Ways you can reduce your risk of CVD are:

• Giving up smoking

• Eating a low saturated fat, low salt, high-fibre diet

• Exercising for 30 minutes at least five times a week

• Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink

The Dorset Heart Centre at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital offers state-of-the-art facilities including a Coronary Care Unit (CCU), the Cardiac Intervention Unit (CIU), a Chest Pain Unit and the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service.

The Chest Pain Unit performs tests to diagnose the causes of the chest pain.

Those requiring investigation of their coronary arteries and opening of any blockages that may be present (angioplasty) are treated in the Cardiac Investigations Unit (CIU). Patients with CVD often have rhythm disturbances and heart failure and may require more than just medication, for example pacemakers. These procedures are also undertaken in the CIU.

All these patients need support and lifestyle management and the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service based in the Bournemouth Heart Club, gives all patients who have had a heart attack, coronary angioplasty or heart surgery, cardiac rehabilitation.

This is a supportive program for patients and their partners based around exercise and lifestyle improvement and largely run by cardiac trained nurses and exercise leaders.

Find out more about the cardiac services provided at the Trust on our website

See a short film about cardiac rehabilitation below