A health expert has shared some tips to reduce the risk of heart disease after research found a worrying knowledge gap amongst Brits when it comes to their heart health.

Vitality Health Insurance surveyed 2,000 people and found that 68% of Brits were unable to confidently list the common signs of heart disease and even heart attack.

While 92% said they actively make positive lifestyle choices to support their heart health there are still some misconceptions.

Nearly one in five (17%) believe heart disease only affects people who are overweight or in bad health and 15% don’t think it's a concern until later in life.

Top 10 least known symptoms of heart disease

When respondents were asked to identify symptoms of heart disease these were the top 10 least identified signs:

  1. Weight gain or weight loss (10% mentioned this symptom)
  2. Leg pain (12%)
  3. Stomach pain or indigestion (16%)
  4. Swollen ankles (18%)
  5. Coughing/wheezing (19%)
  6. Jaw pain or a choking feeling (25%)
  7. Extreme tiredness (26%)
  8. Nausea (27%)
  9. A feeling of anxiety that can feel like a panic attack (33%)
  10. Sweating (46%)

Health expert shares tips to improve heart health

Dr Rosie Godeseth, who was a Cardiologist before becoming Associate Medical Director at Vitality Health, shares her expert tips for maintaining a healthy heart, and why it’s important not to put off caring for your heart until you are older.

She explained: “It’s great to see that so many people are making healthy choices to improve their heart health, but the misconceptions around who is more or less likely to suffer from heart disease is concerning as it suggests people don’t fully understand the risks and lifestyle changes to reduce these.

"Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the cause of 1 in 4 UK deaths, and just over 7 million people in the UK suffer from heart and CVD diseases - twice as high as the number of people living with cancer and Alzheimer’s combined.”

The four main things she said to keep in mind were the following.

Healthy Diet

Having a healthy balanced diet which consists of plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, and fibre is key to having a healthy heart in the long term.

It’s not about “good” and “bad” food, instead it's about making regular choices, that limit ultra-processed foods and focus on having a balanced diet.

Incorporating plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and fibre is particularly impactful in strengthening your heart.

Physical activity

Being active can reduce your risk of CVD (cardiovascular disease) by 35%, as it helps to control blood pressure, reduces bad cholesterol, and can control your blood glucose levels.

Avoid tobacco

Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack compared with those who have never smoked.

Recommended reading:

If you are a smoker, giving up is one of the biggest things you can do to help your heart.

It can be very difficult to give up, but you can speak to your GP who will be able to advise on how best to start.

Know your numbers

Keeping track of your cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure can be a great way to detect early warning signs and can help you identify any changes over time you might be unaware of otherwise.