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Heart and cardiovascular conditions can be life-changing. Understand the impact of these common conditions, and find out what you can do about them.

Find out more about the human heart – the main organ of your circulatory system – and its essential role in the body.

The brain is an essential, complex organ. It controls the functions and processes that regulate the body.

Blood clotting is a natural process that occurs to prevent excessive bleeding. However, blood clots can also form on the inside of blood vessels.

Thrombosis is when a blood clot (thrombus) forms inside a blood vessel, potentially blocking the flow of blood through the circulatory system and causing serious health issues.

A heart attack occurs when the heart is deprived of oxygen due to a blockage in one of the coronary arteries that supplies blood to the heart.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a type of cardiovascular disease in which the narrowing of arteries results in reduced blood flow to a body part outside of the heart or brain.

Coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, is a common condition where the major blood vessels to the heart become blocked and narrowed.

A cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating. It is a medical emergency and can be fatal without immediate treatment.

Atherosclerotic plaque is composed of fat, cholesterol, calcium and inflammatory cells that build up on the inside of the body’s arteries.

Atherosclerosis is the main underlying cause of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to all the diseases of the heart and circulation, including coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, congenital heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot maintain healthy blood glucose levels. People living with type 2 diabetes are over twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

A heart attack is a critical event. Know the symptoms and warning signs of heart attack in women so that you can seek emergency help immediately if you suspect a heart attack.

Heart disease and heart attacks are often associated with older men, but women are just as affected. It is important to be aware of the unique warning signs and risks that women experience.

Congenital heart disease is a general term for problems with the heart’s structure that are present from birth. It is the most common type of birth defect.

Heart failure is when the heart does not work as well as it should in pumping blood and oxygen around the body, causing extra fluid to build up in the body.

An irregular or abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) is when the heart rhythm is not steady.

Preeclampsia is a serious condition where high blood pressure develops during pregnancy, affecting both the mother and unborn baby.

A stroke occurs when the brain does not get the blood supply that it needs.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of abnormal heart rhythm where the heart beats irregularly – it may be rapid or slow.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an umbrella term for situations where blood supply to the heart is blocked.

Māori adults have higher rates of most health conditions – including coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes – and lower access to health care than non-Māori adults.