Get your heart healthy for Valentine’s Day

February is Healthy Heart month and the council’s wellbeing advisors have put together some tips for residents to maintain a healthy heart. Getting active and staying active Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease, but getting and staying active - which can be as simple as walking, cycling or swimming - is great for the heart. Again, it’s never too late to start – any increase in activity will benefit your health. Getting active can help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and help control weight, relieve stress and anxiety, improve muscle and bone strength and reduce the risk of certain cancers. Lose weight Keeping close to a healthy weight will help you control your blood pressure and reduce the work you heart has to do. Eating a healthy, balanced diet, reducing portion sizes and increasing physical activity are the best ways to lose weight. The Wellbeing Hub can provide one-to-one support if you need to lose some weight, plus we also run free programmes for both adults and families to learn about nutrition and activity. Stop smoking Smoking is one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease. If you are a smoker, stopping smoking is the single most important step you can take to reduce the risk of having a heart attack and to live longer. It’s never too late to give up, and support is available by simply calling one number – 0300 100 1823. Anyone interested can also join the next six week Stop Smoking course in Horsham which begins on Monday 11 March. Contact Heather Bourn on 07795 800174 or 01403 227000 ext. 7615 or email her at heather.bourn@nhs.net Horsham District Council’s Cabinet Member for a Safer & Healthier District, Councillor Sue Rogers, said: “Many will have already seen advice on the factors which increase the risk of heart disease, but there is no harm in reiterating the advice. “Needless to say many of the same risk factors can also contribute to a stroke, with the disabilities that come with it and that must surely be of equal concern.” For free, friendly and impartial information and advice, contact the Horsham District Wellbeing team by telephone on 01403 215111 or email info@horshamdistrictwellbeing.org.uk. Further information can also be found by visiting www.horshamdistrictwellbeing.org.uk and www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/ Horsham District Wellbeing is a service provided by Horsham District Council, the NHS and other partners.