Love your heart this Valentine’s Day
Did you know that almost one in two adults in the UK have high cholesterol?
This Valentine’s Day, Adam Sookia, Cardiac and Respiratory Clinical Service Manager from our Cardiac Service shares some top tips for how you can keep your heart healthy all year round by making small lifestyle choices that can make a big difference. Adam said:
“We all need a little cholesterol in our bodies, but having too much can clog up your arteries. Overtime this can cause major health problems and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart diseases and strokes.
“High cholesterol is mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol, however it can also run in families.”
February is also Heart Month, it’s aim this year is to encourage more people to learn about cholesterol and adjust our lifestyles for a healthy heart. Making small changes can make a positive, long-lasting impact, things like;
- Cutting down on fatty foods and replacing them with nutritional alternatives such as oily fish, nuts, brown rice, fruit and vegetables
- Exercise more – aim to do at least 2.5 hours of exercise a week
- Quit smoking – smoking can raise your cholesterol, putting you at risk of heart attacks, strokes and cancer
- Cut down on alcohol – avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week (please consult with your GP if you are regularly exceeding 14 units a week).
The BCHC Cardiac Service consists of two nurse-led clinical teams, the Cardiac Specialist Heart Failure team and the Cardiac Specialist Rehabilitation team.
More information about the service can be found on our website.