February is National Heart Month and brings with it awareness that there are in fact 2.6 million people living in the UK with Coronary Heart Disease.
Having a heart condition can affect all areas of your life, such as work, family, travel, and even just simple daily tasks such as moving around.
Each day your heart beats approximately 100,000 times, pumping 23,000 litres of blood around the body and it a vital part of your cardiovascular system. Problems with this system can take many forms but the most common issues are heart attack, stroke, and angina.
These problems occur when your arteries become narrowed by fatty material. In time, your arteries may become so narrow that they cannot deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to your heart.
There are lots of simple changes you can make with your diet and fitness which will help to benefit your heart and its health. Set yourself realistic goals that are specific to your needs but also achievable. So here are some things to consider:
A little more exercise
Plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Choose whole grain varieties wherever possible.
Only a small number of foods and drinks high in fats and/or sugar.
Making small changes to your exercise and diet will make a huge impact on your health and look after your heart.
The British Heart Foundation’s vision is a world in which people do not die prematurely or suffer from cardiovascular disease – you can head to their website for more information.
