Hi I’m Joe and I’m one of the YOURhealth Social Prescribers covering Haltemprice and Beverley. February is Healthy Heart Month, so I’ve been looking into the factors that cause or are correlated with Heart disease, which includes:
Mental health High cholesterol
High blood pressure Diabetes Obesity
Smoking Physical inactivity
Along with this I looked into what options are available to people in the East Riding wanting to make changes to live a healthier lifestyle to look after their heart.
Happily, NHS YOURhealth can help you a variety of areas which may impact on your heart health from Emotional Wellbeing, to Healthy Eating, to Weight Loss, Alcohol Reduction, Physical Activity, or Stopping Smoking. Which ever aspect you choose to focus on first, we’re here to support you achieve your goals. All you need to do to access the NHS YOURhealth service is call: 0800 917 7752
Emotional Wellbeing
You might want to start by focusing on your Emotional Wellbeing. Covid-19 has undoubtedly added extra difficulties impacting emotional wellbeing, from financial stresses and job losses to loneliness and bereavement, if you feel like you don’t know where to start and feel you need a bit of extra support get in touch. Meanwhile, here are some useful links I’ve found help you on your way to wellbeing.
Top Tips To Improve Your Mental Wellbeing | One You (www.nhs.uk)
Every Mind Matters | One You (www.nhs.uk)
Get help with low mood, sadness or depression – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Coronavirus and your wellbeing | Mind, the mental health charity – help for mental health problems
Publications | Mental Health Foundation
Physical Activity
also has a range of benefits from boosting emotional wellbeing to helping with weight loss. Make exercise part of your daily routine, and find something you enjoy. Here are a few resources I found:
Home workout videos – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Get active – Better Health – NHS (www.nhs.uk) (Couch to 5K, and Active 10)
Join the Movement | Sport England (Online activity timetable–including a selection of free and paid-for virtual classes to suit all ability levels)
East Riding Walking for Health | Walking for Health
Quitting the habit
is the single best thing you can do for your heart. Smoking almost doubles your risk of heart attack compared to never smoking. NHS YOURhealth can help with motivational video calls and free Nicotine Replace Therapy or prescribed Champix. We have all witnessed over the last 12 months the impact Covid-19 is having on people and the risk is higher for those who smoke.
If you would like access to free support and Nicotine Replace Therapy just text QUIT to 60163 and we’ll do the rest – you can access our support without needing to leave your home!
‘Your first port of call could be to start Eating Healthily, cutting down on Alcohol or stopping smoking. I’ve included a few resources with tips and tricks below, but for extra support NHS YOURhealth are here to give you personalised support and get you through those first tough weeks of making changes to your current lifestyle’
12 tips to help you lose weight – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Taking control of food portions and labels | BHF
Taking control of saturated fats | BHF
Taking control of alcohol | BHF