Heart and circulatory diseases are among the many greatest causes of demise within the UK, accounting for round 1 / 4 of all fatalities.

There are quite a few elements that may increase your threat for these, akin to having high cholesterol and excessive blood pressure.

Although there are tell-tale indicators that you've a coronary heart drawback, akin to chest pains, some individuals could not show signs - rising the prospect of a severe medical emergency.

But in response to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) there's a easy check you could possibly do at house to see if you're in danger for coronary heart illness.

Measuring your waist circumference is an effective indicator of your well being, the charity says.

It explains: “Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart and circulatory diseases. (and conditions including type 2 diabetes).

“Your body mass index (BMI) is a way to tell if you’re overweight or obese.

“Typically, a BMI of 25 or above means you may be overweight and a BMI of 30 or above is classified as obese.”

Why your physique form issues

But BMI will not be the one measure of threat for coronary heart illness, the BHF says.

It feedback: “Having too much weight around your middle raises risk of heart and circulatory diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.

“Typically, your health is at ‘increased’ risk if you’re a man with a waist over 94cm (37in), or a woman with a waist over 80cm (31½in).”

In common, having additional weight across the center means you have got an excessive amount of visceral fats.

The BHF says: “This is the fat stored around internal organs like your liver and pancreas.

“Visceral fat produces toxins that affect the way your body works.

“It makes it harder for your body to use a hormone called insulin, which controls your blood glucose (sugar) levels.

“This can lead to type 2 diabetes. Too much glucose in your bloodstream can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases.”

To measure your waist use measuring tape and observe these instruction:

• Find the underside of your ribs and the highest of your hips
• Place a tape measure round your center at some extent midway between them - this might be simply above the stomach button
• Make certain it’s pulled tight however isn’t digging into your pores and skin
• Breathe out naturally and take your measurement
• Take your measurement once more simply to make certain.

You can even enter these measurements into the BHF’s waist measurement tracker at Waist measurement.

Common signs of coronary heart illness embrace chest ache and breathlessness.

If you expertise signs and are involved about your coronary heart or your weight you need to converse to your GP.