Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) covers a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure. Preventing a first or repeat event is possible, and the earlier risk factors are addressed, the better the outcome.
Key points
- High LDL cholesterol, raised blood pressure, smoking, inactivity, excess weight and poor glucose control are the main factors that can be changed.
- Atorvastatin and other statins reduce how much LDL the liver produces, backed by decades of consistent safety data.
- Cutting saturated fat, adding fibre and reaching roughly two and a half hours of moderate exercise weekly all contribute meaningfully.
Risk factors that matter most
CVD rates have risen sharply over recent decades, driven by urbanisation, dietary shifts, and rising rates of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. High sodium intake and smoking remain significant contributors, particularly among men.
The main modifiable risk factors are elevated LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, physical inactivity, excess weight, and poorly controlled blood glucose.
Lowering cholesterol to protect the heart
Reducing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol is one of the most evidence-backed strategies for CVD prevention. Statins such as atorvastatin lower LDL production in the liver and have a strong safety record built over decades of use. They are used both in people who have already had a cardiac event and in those with elevated risk who have not yet had one.
Diet and exercise remain the foundation: reducing saturated fat, increasing fibre, and achieving 150 minutes of moderate activity per week each contribute meaningfully to cholesterol management.
Seek medical attention promptly if you experience chest pain, unexplained breathlessness, or pain radiating to the arm or jaw.