Show your heart some love | News and events

Local NHS’ top tips to show your heart some love this Valentine’s Day  

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching this week, the local NHS is encouraging local people across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Royston to take some time to look after their heart’s health.  

There are more than 8 million people in UK living with a cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease causes over a quarter of all deaths in the UK. However, the good news is that small, simple changes can help protect your heart.

Lesley Deacon, Deputy Chief Nurse at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: “Valentine’s Day is a great reminder to show your heart some love and attention. Busy lives and lack of focus on the (Remove the) caring for our hearts can really affect the health of one of the most important organs in our bodies! There are small changes we can all do to help improve the health of our heart. Whilst some of them seem small, such as just moving more, they can massively improve their health of our hearts.” 

NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has shared easy ways to keep your heart healthy: 

• Know your numbers – knowing your blood pressure is important as high blood pressure often has no obvious symptoms, but it is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease and stroke, causing around one in four deaths in the UK each year. You can get your blood pressure checked at most community pharmacies and GP practices, as well as self-service kiosks in some libraries and local centres and events.  
• Get moving - adults should do some type of physical activity every day and exercise just twice a week can reduce the risk of heart attacks. Adults should do a mixture of exercise which include strengthening exercises, along with either 150 minutes of moderate intensity activities such as brisk walking, riding a bike or dancing, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week such as lifting heavy weight or spinning classes.
• Stop smoking - quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your heart. The benefits start almost straight away, with heart rate and blood pressure dropping within 20 minutes and nicotine being out of your system within 48 hours. People who get help to stop are five times more likely to stop for good due to support and encouragement received.  If you are interested in getting help, you can contact our Healthy You services at https://healthyyou.org.uk/
• Look after your emotional wellbeing - stress can take its toll on your heart so find time to relax. If it feels like life is becoming overwhelming, speak to your GP or visit How Are You Cambridgeshire & Peterborough for advice. If you or somebody you know needs help with a mental health crisis, please dial NHS 111 and select the mental health option. 
• Get an NHS health check and take prescribed medicine - NHS health checks are for anyone aged 40 years and are a good way to spot any potential heart health issues and reduce future risks. If you have coronary heart disease, or are at risk because of high blood pressure, cholesterol, or family history of them, you may be prescribed medicine to manage symptoms or help prevent future heart conditions. Make sure you take any medications as prescribed and do not stop without speaking to your GP.
• Know the signs of a heart attack - symptoms can include pressure or discomfort in the chest, arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach or you might feel sick, sweaty or short of breath. If you think you or somebody else may be having a heart attack, call 999 straight away.  

Lesley added, “You don’t have to do this alone, there is lots of support available to help you stop smoking, get mental health support or find out your blood pressure. Have a look online or speak to a healthcare professional such as a pharmacist for more help. Show your heart some love this Valentine’s Day and make a positive step to improve its health now and for the future.”

For further information on getting your blood pressure checked, visit NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough’s What’s Your Number? webpage.