Go red! And help combat the nation's biggest killer
This February, the British Heart Foundation is inviting people to Go Red! in support of National Heart Month.
Heart and circulatory diseases claim the lives of 220 women and 180 men every single day, and cause around 200,000 deaths annually. However, there are many things we can do to care for our hearts, and reduce the risks associated with developing coronary heart disease.
The campaign that saved my life
Your heart's vital statistics
Eating healthily
It is possible to protect your heart by nourishing it with a healthy, well-balanced diet. A healthy diet also allows you to control your weight; an important aspect of healthy eating because carrying extra pounds, particularly around your middle, can increase your chances of developing a heart condition, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Watch the New You video on how to eat for a healthy heart.
Exercising
As little as the recommended thirty minutes’ exercise, five or more days a week, can reduce your risk of heart disease - yet recent statistics show that 70% of adults don’t do enough. The heart is a muscle and as such requires constant exercise in order to keep the organ fit and functioning. Activities which are good for the heart include swimming, exercise classes and sports; however, exercise can also include day-to-day movements such as climbing stairs, walking and gardening.
Risk Factors
There are a number of additional means by which you can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease. For example, having , which means that your blood pressure is exceeding the recommended level. Whilst this rarely has any symptoms, over time your heart may become abnormally large and beat less effectively, thus increasing your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors yet can be effectively reduced by making various lifestyle change
For more information, watch the New You video high blood pressure
Other risk factors for developing coronary heart disease include excessive alcohol consumption, a family history of heart problems, high cholesterol, smoking, and obesity. Diabetes can also increase your risk of developing heart problems, as high glucose levels can encourage fatty deposits on the artery walls. If you are diabetic, you are also more likely to have high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
Watch the New You video coping with diabetes for advice on managing your condition.
Finally, stress can also play a part as regards the health of the heart by encouraging destructive behaviour such as smoking and excessive drinking.
For more information, watch the New You video coping with stress.
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