General Advice for Vascular Health
Lifestyle Modification
These are changes each person can make to their day to day life to improve health and wellbeing, and reduce the risks of vascular disease and stroke.
Smoking Cessation
The most important change is to completely stop smoking. Smoking is by far and away the most important risk factor for all arterial diseases. It is never too later to stop. For help call Quitline on 0800 778 778 or text 4006, or visit Smokefree for more advice and support.
Eating and Drinking Healthily
Adopting healthy dietary habits can also have a significant impact on symptoms and progression of disease. Particularly avoiding processed foods, those with high fat, high salt added sugar. Reducing portion size to reduce excessive calorie intake will help to reduce excessive weight and prevent weight gain. Obesity is strongly associated with diabetes and arterial disease. Further information and advice on healthy eating can be found here and the importance of keeping well hydrated here.
Physical Activity
Exercise is the final critical component in self care and prevention. Regular exercise is important for most mammals and humans are no exception. Our modern lives and amenities often get in the way of doing even small amounts but the benefits of just half an hour a day are well documented. Even people who consider themselves too old, unfit or frail can participate in appropriate exercise and gain significant benefits. You don’t need expensive gym memberships, although many are cheap and provide expertise and support. Doing it yourself is often more convenient. The Heart Foundation provides good advice on the benefits, and how to get started safely here.
These are changes each person can make to their day to day life to improve health and wellbeing, and reduce the risks of vascular disease and stroke.
Smoking Cessation
The most important change is to completely stop smoking. Smoking is by far and away the most important risk factor for all arterial diseases. It is never too later to stop. For help call Quitline on 0800 778 778 or text 4006, or visit Smokefree for more advice and support.
Eating and Drinking Healthily
Adopting healthy dietary habits can also have a significant impact on symptoms and progression of disease. Particularly avoiding processed foods, those with high fat, high salt added sugar. Reducing portion size to reduce excessive calorie intake will help to reduce excessive weight and prevent weight gain. Obesity is strongly associated with diabetes and arterial disease. Further information and advice on healthy eating can be found here and the importance of keeping well hydrated here.
Physical Activity
Exercise is the final critical component in self care and prevention. Regular exercise is important for most mammals and humans are no exception. Our modern lives and amenities often get in the way of doing even small amounts but the benefits of just half an hour a day are well documented. Even people who consider themselves too old, unfit or frail can participate in appropriate exercise and gain significant benefits. You don’t need expensive gym memberships, although many are cheap and provide expertise and support. Doing it yourself is often more convenient. The Heart Foundation provides good advice on the benefits, and how to get started safely here.
