Atrial fibrillation (AF)
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. It raises the risk of stroke, but treatment can lower that risk a lot.
Health conditions
Heart and circulation conditions
Guides to conditions that affect your heart, blood pressure and blood vessels, including stroke.
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease happens when the arteries that supply your heart become narrowed. It can cause angina and heart attacks, but treatment and healthy changes can greatly lower the risks.
Heart failure
Heart failure means the heart is not pumping as well as it should. It does not mean the heart has stopped. Treatment can help people live longer and feel better.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is very common and usually has no symptoms, so many people do not know they have it. Getting checked is quick and free, and treatment greatly lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
High cholesterol
High cholesterol has no symptoms but raises your risk of heart attack and stroke. A simple blood test can check it, and it can be lowered.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
Peripheral arterial disease happens when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your legs. It often causes pain when walking.
Stroke
A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. It is a medical emergency. Fast treatment saves lives and reduces disability.
About these conditions
Heart and circulation conditions affect around 7.6 million people in the UK. Many, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, cause no symptoms, so regular checks matter. Treatment and healthy changes can greatly lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Help that applies to many conditions
- Benefits are based on how a condition affects you, not on its name. If you need help with everyday tasks or getting around, try our PIP points self-check, or the Attendance Allowance check if you are over State Pension age.
- If you cannot work because of your health, read about New Style ESA and the Universal Credit health element.
- You may be protected at work. Under the Equality Act 2010, a condition that has a substantial, long-term effect on your daily life can count as a disability, which means your employer must consider reasonable adjustments.
- Help with health costs. Some conditions give you free prescriptions in England, and prescriptions are free for everyone in Wales. Try our NHS health costs check.
- Your GP can review your treatment, refer you to specialists and tell you about local support.