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.
Regular Healthcare
For most people simple healthy lifestyle is all that is required. As you get older of if you smoke or develop other medical conditions, it is a good idea to get a regular check up from your local health provider. Often it is a matter of a simple blood pressure check, and a blood sugar and cholesterol test. You might be advised to start some blood pressure medications or tablets to reduce the cholesterol in the blood or make lifestyle changes - GP's and community health provides can provide information on nutrition, exercise and smoking cessation. If you are between 45 and 75 but in generally good health, a health check-in with your local practitioner ever 5 years or so will be all that is required.
Working together with your local services can prevent serious conditions from developing and will improve both the length and quality of life.
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.
Regular Healthcare
For most people simple healthy lifestyle is all that is required. As you get older of if you smoke or develop other medical conditions, it is a good idea to get a regular check up from your local health provider. Often it is a matter of a simple blood pressure check, and a blood sugar and cholesterol test. You might be advised to start some blood pressure medications or tablets to reduce the cholesterol in the blood or make lifestyle changes - GP's and community health provides can provide information on nutrition, exercise and smoking cessation. If you are between 45 and 75 but in generally good health, a health check-in with your local practitioner ever 5 years or so will be all that is required.
Working together with your local services can prevent serious conditions from developing and will improve both the length and quality of life.
