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More on risk factors and initiatives to promote a healthier lifestyle

  • Last modified date:
    4 March 2005

Key lifestyle risk factors for CHD include smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise. About ten million people in England smoke - over one in four people. Approximately 20% of CHD related deaths in men and 17% of CHD cases in women are attributable to smoking. The incidence of CHD is highest amongst people who are obese. Overall, 22% of men and 23% of women in England are now obese. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in general and of coronary heart disease mortality in particular. Physically inactive people have about double the risk of CHD.

A number of initiatives are underway to help reduce these risks and promote a healthier lifestyle, including NHS stop smoking services, which have helped over 400,000 people kick the habit since 2000; the 5 a day programme, including the national school fruit scheme, which provides a free piece of fruit each school day to over a million children aged 4 to 6 years; healthy living centres and local action exercise pilots (LEAPs).

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For further information

This section contains information, policy documents and advice on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of CHD and other cardiac conditions. If you are interested in clinical information on CHD from a patient perspective you might like to visit NHS Direct or the British Heart Foundation website.

NHS Heart Improvement Programme

The NHS Heart Improvement Programme supports the delivery of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Coronary Heart Disease, through the development of cardiac networks.

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