Self-Help: Live Well

General lifestyle interventions to improve heart health:

• Stopping smoking. It is never too late for this to be beneficial. Smoking-cessation services have been shown to be the most effective way to stop smoking. This can reduce your risk of developing other conditions such as heart disease, COPD and cancer.

Please contact the surgery to book an appointment with the nurse for smoking cessation advice.

• Increase your daily exercise if needed.Birmingham City Council has produced a useful leaflet highlighting a number of useful exercise schemes throughout Birmingham: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/file/8106/lifestyles_leaflet
• Maintain a healthy weight. Weight loss if your BMI is greater than 25.
• Eating a healthy diet.  A healthy diet within recommended limits can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. See https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/healthy-living for further information.
• Reduce alcohol consumption. If you drink alcohol, it’s important to keep this within recommended limits. See https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/calculating-alcohol-units/?tabname=advice-and-support for further information.

For further information on other measures for a healthier lifestyle, see NHS Live Well website https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/