HEART HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Did you know there are around 7.6 million people in the UK living with heart and circulatory disease?
Leisure centres in Lambeth are increasing awarenes of the British Heart Foundation and the support services they offer to those with heart conditions as well as supporting family and friends who may have heart conditions.
Did you know that 4 in 5 people over the age of 30 have a heart age older than their actual age?
Keeping your heart healthy is something you can work on every day!
The good news is many heart and circulatory diseases are caused by risk factors that can be controlled, treated or modified.
These risk factors are as followed:
- High Cholesterol
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Physical Inactivity
Here are some of the ways which you can improve your heart health and support us during Heart Month:
Keep track of your numbers
- If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, speak to your GP or a pharmacist. You can normally get it checked at your GP surgery or local pharmacy.
- Around 28 per cent of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, which can be caused by unhealthy habits. Being overweight, drinking too much alcohol and not doing enough exercise are all examples of factors which can increase your risk of getting high blood pressure.
Get moving
- Whatever your age or ability, exercising can help to improve your general wellbeing.
- Regular physical activity can help to reduce the risk of developing heart and circulatory disease by up to 35 per cent.
- Just taking 20 to 30 minutes from your day to exercise, whether that is going for a run or a walk, can help make such a difference to your heart.
- Exercise your heart to lower your cholesterol ( a fatty substance in your blood which can cause your arteries to clog up); as well as lower your blood pressure, which means your arteries are less likely to clog up.
Eat healthy
- A healthy and balanced diet can help to reduce your risk of heart and circulatory diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure and can help you to maintain a healthy weight.
- It can also help to lower your cholesterol levels.
- Even if you already have a heart condition, eating healthily can still be of benefit to your heart health.
- Try to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, pulses and wholegrain varieties of bread, rice and pasta. You should also look to choose options that are lower in saturated fat, salt and sugar where you can.