LOVE YOUR HEART THIS VALENTINES
This month our in-house GP, Dr Pippa shares her ‘Top tips on how to look after your heart health this February’.
There are 5 major changes you can make this Valentines to look after your heart. The best Valentine’s Gift to give this February… as making an effort to value your own heart health, will impact positively on you & those around you. This could be life changing & even life extending for you & your loved ones!
Regular physical activity can positively impact our heart health. The heart is a muscle, & gets stronger if we exercise it. The national recommendation is 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise 5 days a week.
A balanced diet with lots of fruit & vegetable consumption is the most safe method in order to maintain a healthy heart. Less processed foods & more whole foods, with a Mediterranean theme is still evidenced as the most beneficial.
Stress can have such a negative impact on our heart health & even cause heart attacks. Combatting stress may therefore be one of the best things you can do. Yoga, mediation, mindfulness & even a skincare regimen can all help.
Blood Pressure is essential to keep an eye on, as if high, it will stretch your heart muscle & make it less efficient. I recommend buying a home machine & checking it at 6 monthly. If 140/90mmHg or higher consult your doctor.
Health Checks are a great way to catch problems early. This includes having your blood pressure taken, & a cholesterol, kidney & sugar blood test. I recommend annual if you are known to be high risk, or 2-3 yearly if healthy.
When to see your doctor?
If you note any of the following please contact your Dr or urgent care:
Shortness of breath
Ankle Swelling or Fluid
Dizziness or Headaches
Palpitations (chest flutterings)
Chest Pains (ring 999)