One of the highest rates of death due to heart disease in the world affects the United Kingdom (UK). According to statistics, one British adult dies from the disease every three minutes; meanwhile stroke ranks third as the country's biggest killer, causing the death of 70,000 men and women each year.

Experts explain that heart attacks happen when blood flow is closed, often because a blood clot occurs, while strokes when a blood tube in your brain suddenly are caused by blocked or burst of blood vessels.

There exist various and different heart conditions, such as heart attack, heart failure, heart muscle disease, heart valve disease, congenital heart defects, angina, hardened arteries, high blood pressure and disturbed heart rhythm.

These conditions -such as heart failure, when blood is not pumped around the body in a proper way, along with congenital heart defects- can cause long term problems and death for sufferers.

The importance of heart is vital. This body organ pumps blood through the body carrying oxygen and other nutrients to the areas that need it. However, serious illness and even death can result when this process is interrupted or does not work correctly.

Although men are more likely to suffer from heart disease than women, people with poor diet, who smoke and do not exercise, are in greater risk for developing a heart related disease.

In order to alleviate symptoms or save the lives of sufferers there exist different tests and treatments, including drugs, heart bypass surgery and transplants.