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How can you lower the risk of getting heart disease?

Heart disease remains an issue in Wales Photo: PA

The number of people living with heart disease in Wales is falling, according to a new report by the Welsh Government.

Research shows there were 125,567 people living with coronary heart disease in in 2012-2013.

That's 8,040 fewer than in 2006-07, which is a reduction of 6%.

Heart disease however remains an issue in Wales claiming the lives of more than 4,300 people a year.

Heart disease is caused when the arteries around the heart get blocked Credit: PA

What is heart disease?

Coronary heart disease is the term used to describe what happens when the blood supply to your heart is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substance in the arteries around the heart.

This fatty build-up in the arteries can be caused by lifestyle habits, like smoking, or other health conditions such as high blood pressure, or diabetes.

Preventing heart disease:

There are several ways you can help reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing bloody pressure and cholesterol levels.

  • Eat a low fat, high fibre diet and limit the amount of salt in your diet to 6g a day
  • Exercise regularly to help keep your heart healthy
  • Reduce alcohol consumption to within daily guidelines (three to four units a day for men, and two to three units for women)
  • Give up smoking - smoking is one of the key risk factors for developing blocked arteries

You can find out more about preventing heart disease by visiting the British Heart Foundation website here.