I am running the London Marathon on 21st April 2024, raising money to support Team HEART UK - a charity whose work is closely associated with my role as Stroke Partnership Manager at NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire.  

Increasing the profile of the risk factors associated with raised cholesterol is an integral part of the 'day job' so below are some facts to make us all stop and think, or in my case... to keep me running!

Almost half of UK adults have raised cholesterol levels which can lead to heart disease. Heart and circulatory disease (cardiovascular disease or CVD) causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK and is the largest cause of premature mortality. 

Millions of people are unaware that they are living with serious but treatable conditions such as atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol. These are known as the A-B-C conditions, which are the major causes of CVD.

CVD can often largely be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle, for example stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Spotting risk factors early reduces the chance of developing potentially life-threatening conditions including heart attacks, stroke and dementia.

CVD is the single biggest area where the NHS can save lives over the next 10 years, along with the vital work that HEART UK carry out.

Your donations will help to raise awareness of the dangers of high cholesterol throughout the UK; campaign for improved screening, identification, and treatment of people with raised cholesterol and help support those diagnosed with either inherited or non-inherited high cholesterol and help reduce risk of heart disease. 

Thank you for visiting my page - I really appreciate if you could support me (and HEART UK!) on this challenge.