Whether you have an existing heart condition, or wish to prevent its development, there are a number of actions you can take to improve the health of your cardiovascular system.
Increase your activityThe heart is a muscle and, just like other muscles in your body, needs to be worked to grow fit and strong. Whatever your age or activity level, you can always improve your heart’s well being by going for a fast walk, running, hiking, dancing or any other aerobic activity. (Just be sure to check with your doctor first if you are not used to physical activity and/or you are over the age of 45.)
Consume heart-healthy fatsOmega-3 fatty acids help increase HDL (good cholesterol) while reducing LDL (the cholesterol you don’t want). Omega-3s are found in fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines, as well as oils from flax seed and nuts (walnuts are a particularly good source). You will also find Omega-3 supplements at London Drugs.
Attend a London Drugs Heart Health ClinicWhen you attend a Heart Health Clinic, our heart health computer program will help assess your personal risk of developing heart disease.
Based on your individual heart-health profile, the pharmacist will help you develop a lifestyle plan to reduce your risk factors. The next clinics will be held in March and April, 2008.
Reduce StressTake time out to relax every day - even if it is just half an hour. A short walk at lunch time, meditation, reading your favourite magazine ro simply chatting with friends can all help reduce tension.
Avoid Trans-FatsAlthough most supermarket products no longer contain dangerous trans-fats, many baked goods (such as coffee-shop fare) and fast foods still do. Be careful not to consume too many of these foods.
Invest in supplementsMany health supplements that support health of the heart and arteries are available from London Drugs. These include garlic supplements (which help reduce blood pressure), Omega-3 fatty acids to help raise the good and reduce the bad cholesterols, Vitamin B complex supplements to help reduce the effect of stress on the body, and specialized supplements such as Holista® Heart Choice Cholesterol Formula, which helps reduce bad cholesterol and improve overall cholesterol levels. (This is achieved by Vegepure ™ vegetable sterol esters which have a chemical structure similar to cholesterol and compete with cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract.) Holista® Heart Choice Cholesterol Formula may be used alone, or in addition to prescribed statin drugs. Please ask your pharmacist for advice on using these supplements.