The heart is a muscle that is about the size of an adult fist. It contracts about 70 times a minute to pump blood around the body. Like any other muscle the heart needs a good supply of oxygen (which is carried by the blood). The blood supply to the heart comes from the coronary arteries that fan out over the surface of the heart.

Over a period of many years the walls of the coronary arteries can become ‘furred-up’ with a fatty deposit. This is called atherosis, and it restricts the flow of blood through the arteries, and thus reduces the amount of oxygen to the heart. This condition can lead to angina or a heart attack.

The condition is quite prevalent across Manchester, and the Manchester Public Health Development Service (MPHDS) is working to reduce the risk of this disease. The enormity of the task means that multi-agency networking is a must, and thus the CHD team work alongside, and with, partners across the city.