As February signifies National Heart Health Month in the UK, we are reminded of the importance of taking care of our heart health. Unfortunately, heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, including the UK.
Heart health is important to your overall well-being and making specific lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. Read on to discover our actionable tips for maintaining good heart health.
Want bespoke health advice? If you’d like to improve your overall wellbeing, our doctors will work with you to curate a health plan that’s right for you. As a member, you’ll see the same GP every time and they’ll visit you at your home or workplace, whenever you need an appointment. There are no waiting times and you’ll never feel rushed. To discover all the benefits of becoming a member of Linbury, visit our Memberships page here or call 0333 050 7338.
Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet
One of the best ways to keep your heart healthy is to eat a balanced, heart-healthy diet. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy products. It is also vital to limit the intake of unhealthy fats, salt, alcohol and sugary beverages as these can increase your risk for heart disease.
Get Moving
Exercise helps improve blood flow, lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol levels, and maintains a healthy weight. Ensure you’re getting at least 30 minutes of movement into your daily routine. Regular physical activity can help manage weight, lower blood pressure, and strengthen your heart. Find something you genuinely love doing; yoga, strength training or simply walking the dog!
Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can have a negative impact on heart health. High levels of stress can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammation. Practice stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or yoga.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is a major contributor to heart disease. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the heart and blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and stroke. If you smoke, it is essential to quit smoking to reduce your risk for heart disease.
Get Regular Checks to Assess your Heart Health
No matter your age or current health status, it’s never too late to start caring for your heart. However, doing it all alone can be challenging. We encourage you to book a comprehensive health check with us here at Linbury Doctors. Our full health checks look at your:
- Heart health via ECG
- Vitamin levels
- Iron levels
- Cholesterol levels
- Kidney function
- Liver function
- Blood pressure
- BMI (Body Mass Index)
- Diabetes check
- Prostate count for men
- Ovarian cancer checks for women
All your test results will be shared with you via a secure system which is password protected. So, you will always have access to all the tests you have with us. A copy of your report will also be emailed to you after your health check.
To find out more information or to book your full body health check, call us on 0333 050 7338 or fill out our enquiry form here.
