People of South Asian or African Caribbean heritage have a higher risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases. And regardless of your ethnicity, if there’s a history of heart attacks or strokes in your family you may be more at risk genetically.
If you are in one of these higher risk groups, it’s especially important that you monitor your blood pressure. Your GP may also want to keep an eye on your cholesterol level.
When you have diabetes, you're more at risk of heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. That’s why it’s even more important to take good care of your heart through things such as eating well, keeping active and quitting if you’re a smoker. You may also want to discuss other preventative options with your GP.