With an estimated one in five men and one in eight women in the UK dying from heart disease - looking after your heart is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones.
February is national heart month, so we thought we’d share some tips to help you reduce your risk, spot the symptoms and/or recover from the effects:
Reduce the risk
Smoking, obesity, being physically inactive, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can increase your risk of heart disease.
There are 7 steps you can take to reduce your risks:
- Quit smoking
- Monitor your blood pressure
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Watch you cholesterol
- Control your blood sugar
- Get active
- Eat a healthy diet
If you need some extra help to keep you motivated, call our Livewell service on 0151 630 8383.
Would you know how to spot the symptoms?
Angina – people can experience a mild, uncomfortable feeling similar to indigestion to painful feeling of heaviness or tightness in the chest.
Heart failure - the main symptoms are breathlessness, extreme tiredness, and ankle swelling, which may extend up the legs.
Heart attack – heart attack symptoms are similar to that of angina, but is often more severe. You may also experience sweating, light-headedness, nausea and breathlessness.
If not treated straight away, a heart attack can be fatal. If you think you are having a heart attack, dial 999 for immediate medical assistance.
Recover from the effects
Wirral’s heart support service help people to live well with a heart condition and support people recovering from a heart attack or heart surgery.
Whilst, heart disease cannot be cured with the right treatment and support people can be helped to manage symptoms and reduce future problems.
If you want to find out more about the services that can help you or a loved one live well with a heart condition then come along to our FREE hearts and minds event...
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