Look after your heart and it should look after you.
Here are some top tips from editor Jane Garton on how to give yours some extra TLC.
February is National Heart Month, the British Heart Foundation’s annual campaign to raise awareness of heart and circulatory disease; ‘Be active, eat healthily and avoid smoking’ are just some of their key messages.
The British Heart Foundation is also urging us to be aware of our family history to protect against heart problems: ‘A family history of cardiovascular disease increases the risk of close relatives developing coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack, heart failure and stroke,’ warns Emily Reeve, Senior Cardiac Nurse with the British Heart Foundation.
Here are some natural remedies that may also help to keep your ticker running more smoothly.
GARLIC (Allium sativum)
One of nature’s most popular heart remedies, garlic has been shown to help stop blood clotting as well as keep blood pressure levels on an even keel. It can also help to boost the ‘good’ fats circulating in your blood including HDL cholesterol while lowering ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels.
HORSE CHESTNUT (Aesculus hippocastanum)
The bark and seeds of the horse chestnut tree are valued for their potent anti-inflammatory properties, which can help protect against stroke, heart attack and circulation problems. Always consult a medical herbalist before taking horse chestnut.
HAWTHORN (Crataegus)
Extracts from the berries of the hawthorn tree can help improve blood flow to the heart. If you suffer from angina (a painful condition when the heart starts to complain because it is deprived of blood and oxygen) you may find hawthorn helps.
GINKGO (Ginkgo biloba)
This ancient herb can help boost blood flow to the body’s extremities such as the hands and feet. Always choose supplements which contain an optimum amount of flavone glycosides (the herb’s active ingredients) that have been proven to benefit circulation problems.
DIET TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HEART
Eat your oats: A bowl of porridge for breakfast can lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol by as much as 20 per cent
Get your five a day: Fresh fruit and veg, especially colourful citrus fruits and carrots, are brimming with cardio-protective antioxidants including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene.
Balance it: Try to include some milk and dairy products as well as some fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein, but only a small amount of foods and drinks high in fats and/or sugar
Watch that drink: Excess alcohol or binge drinking can damage the heart muscle leading to abnormal rhythms or heart failure
Get checked out: everyone over the age of 40 is eligible for a free heart health check with their GP – book that appointment!
For more information visit the British Heart Foundation.
