How to really look after your partner’s heart this valentine’s day

There is no disputing that cardiovascular disease causes a lot of broken hearts. Each year in the UK it claims over 160,000 lives and is still the greatest cause of mortality in women.

So I am asking, in the spirit of valentine’s, if there are some small changes you could make with your partner to really start looking after your hearts?

Here are the four S’s for saving your heart

Salt                                                                                                                                                    

Adults should eat less than 6 grams of salt each day – that’s about one teaspoon. This includes the salt that’s already contained in foods as well as salt you add to dishes. Salt is ubiquitous in many ready made sauces, soups and ready meals as well as cereals and bread.

The easiest way to reduce salt is to reduce eating packaged and processed foods.

Smoking

Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack compared with people who have never smoked. Stopping smoking has huge benefits and it’s never too late to give up.

The problem is that smoking can be an unconscious strategy to make time for yourself,  relax or as a response to emotions such as anxiety and stress. It is important that you find strategies for these issues, rather than simply taking smoking away. I work with clients to find better ways to achieve this. Call me to find out more about NLP and lifestyle Coaching

Stay active

Exercising regularly helps you keep a healthy weight, reduces blood pressure, helps to stabilise cholesterol levels and improves our sensitivity to insulin (a risk factor for diabetes).

Staying active also improves mood and promotes a positive body image – making you and your partner feel more vibrant and energised!

Sugar

Sugar has been linked to premature ageing, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, weight gain and inflammation, putting extra strain on your heart. There is nothing sexy about sugar.

You can find ways of reducing sugar here.

Your fairytale ending

The greatest gift after love, has to be our health.  The reality is that the better we are at looking after our health, the more likely we will be to have a better quality of life and be with our families for longer. Make your gift this valentine’s something that makes your hearts stronger.

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