Thousands of Britons are endangering their heart health through lack of awareness of the signs of coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a survey by the British Heart Foundation (BHF). Only two per cent of the 2,000-plus adults polled were afraid of developing CHD, despite the fact that the disease is the country’s number one killer. In addition, nine out of 10 people wrongly thought that high blood pressure has symptoms, when in fact, the condition, which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, is known as a ‘silent killer’.

Twenty per cent were unaware of the link between smoking and CHD, while over a third didn’t know that the habit could cause a stroke, and half didn’t realise that having diabetes could increase the risk of CHD. Dr Mike Knapton, BHF associate medical director, said: “Your heart is the most vital organ in your body, but all too often we take it for granted.”