Love Life? Love Your Heart!

Coronary Heart Disease is the most common cause of death and premature death in the UK.

Around one in five men and one in seven women die from the disease. Coronary Heart Disease causes around 94,000 deaths in the UK each year. Being physically inactive can massively increase the risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes, all big contributing causes of coronary heart disease. The recommend level of physical activity is 30 minutes of at least moderate intensity activity (such as brisk walking, cycling or climbing stairs) on five or more days per week.

Physical activity levels are low in the UK. Health Survey for England data show that, in 2006, only 40% of men and 28% of women met the current physical activity guidelines. More recent statistics suggest that seven out of ten adults don’t do enough physical activity and this increases their risk of heart disease. Being physically active not only keeps your heart healthy, but makes you look and feel great.

It’s never too late to start and you don’t have to join a gym. Including activity into your daily  routine is as easy as walking around the block. People of all ages who are physically active are half as likely to get cardiovascular disease as those that are inactive. Being active at any age helps control your weight, reduces blood pressure and cholesterol and will provide long term benefits for your heart’s health and your general health

Nature Gives Life to That Which is Used

Your heart is a muscle and needs exercise to help it keep fit so that it can pump blood efficiently around your body. Physical activity improves your physical and mental health – helping you to look and feel great.

So Use It!

Set Yourself a goal to build up to at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on five or more days a week. Moderate physical activity that makes you breathe more heavily than normal and makes you warmer. If 30 minutes is too much for you at the moment, build up slowly by:

• starting with ten minutes activity at least three times a day and start slowly at a level that suits you

• gradually building up the time and frequency until 30 minutes feels easier

• choosing a variety of activities that you enjoy

• trying to do something every day.

Remember, it’s best to stop exercising or slow down if you feel any pain or discomfort.

Always consult your GP if in doubt about your physical condition.