Losing Weight is good for your heart. Losing weight / maintaining a healthy weight will help protect you from heart disease. Research has also shown that many overweight people with angina, raised blood cholesterol and high blood pressure found their conditions improved even after losing just some of their excess weight. Following your weight loss goals is excellent news for your heart. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the single most common cause of death in the UK†. CHD is caused by atherosclerosis - the furring up and narrowing of the small arteries that supply blood to the heart. When the flow of blood to the heart is restricted this causes painIf a blood clot forms within the narrowed arteries it can block the flow of blood to the heart and cause a heart The risk of CHD is increased by an unhealthy diet, high cholesterol levels (mainly caused by too much fat in the diet) and obesity (particularly where excess weight is stored around the waist).

Being overweight can also contribute to high blood pressure (hypertension) which increases your risk of CHD. Losing weight / maintaining a healthy weight will help protect you Research has also shown that many overweight people with angina, raised blood cholesterol and high blood pressure found their conditions improved even after losing just some of their excess weight. It is estimated that up to 30% of deaths from CHD are due toEating a healthy balanced diet will help look after your heart. Following the Weight Loss Resources' recommended nutrition profile30% fat - will ensure your body gets the right amount of vitamins and minerals and energy levels to keep everything in working order. Fruit and vegetables help to prevent the development of atherosclerosis. low in calories and a good source of antioxidants. Aim to eat the recommended 5 or more portions a day. Studies have shown that wholegrain foods in the diet can help

reduce the risk of heart diseases. cereals, wholemeal bread and wholegrain varieties of pasta and rice. Oily fish supplies a good supply of the heart healthy Omega 3 fats. Aim to eat oily fish, such as salmon or mackerel, at least once a You total intake of fat should be no more than 30% with no more than 10%Check labels and choose items with the lowest amount ofTry to limit your intake of high fat foods such as butter, creamy sauces, fried/deep fried/battered foods, pastries, cakes, biscuits and red meat. There are no calories in salt but this doesn't mean you should useToo much salt in your diet is linked with high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. Daily intake should be no moreFlavour foods with herbs, spicesDon't add salt at the table without first tasting yourWatch out for hidden salt in pre-cooked/pre-packed meals - avoid monosodium glutamate where possible. For a healthy heart you need to exercise regularly.

active as much as possible. When exercising for maximum health benefits you need to exercise until you are slightly out of breath but still able to talk and build up a sweat!Four Ed'S T-Shirt Iron Maiden Start a Free Trial TodayHotels Private Hot Tub Wales Weight Loss Resources' food database andArtistic Elephant Duvet Cover interactive tools free for 24 hours Heart Foundation for more information about eating a healthy, balanced, diet that's good for your heart. You can also order their free publication* "So You Want to Lose Weight... for Good" - an A4 colour booklet containing advice on how to lose weight and guidelines *Note: A donation is suggested to help cover the additional costs

involved in producing the booklet. Donations will help towards the work of the BHF †BHF Coronary heart diseaseHaving a healthy lifestyle is the most effective way of reducing your risk of angina. If you already have angina, making lifestyle changes also helps prevent your symptoms getting worse and reduces your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The best way to achieve this is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, try to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level, and avoid smoking. This will lower your blood pressure, reduce your cholesterol levels and strengthen your heart. An unhealthy diet high in saturated fat and salt increases your risk of developing angina, and increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke. A diet that includes plenty of fruit and vegetables and lots of fibre, such as wholegrain rice, bread and pasta, can help reduce this risk. Fruit and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals and fibre, and help keep your body in good condition.

You should aim to eat five 80g portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Read more about good food, healthy eating and getting your 5 A DAY. Eating high-fat foods can cause fatty plaques to build up in your arteries. You can help prevent this by avoiding foods that contain saturated fats. Foods high in saturated fat include: Eating a small amount of unsaturated fat increases the level of good cholesterol and helps reduce any blockage in your arteries. Foods high in unsaturated fat include: For more information, see facts about fat and eat less saturated fat. You should also cut down on the amount of salt in your food, as it can raise your blood pressure. You should aim to eat less than 6g (0.2oz) of salt a day, which is about a teaspoonful. For more information, see tips for a lower-salt diet. Smoking can significantly increase your risk of both heart attacks and strokes, as it causes your arteries to narrow and raises your blood pressure.

If you decide to stop smoking, your GP can refer you to the NHS Smokefree service, which provides you with dedicated help and advice about the best ways to give up smoking. You can also call the Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044. The specially trained helpline staff will offer you free expert advice and encouragement. If you're committed to giving up smoking but don't want to be referred to a stop smoking service, your GP should be able to prescribe medical treatment to help with any withdrawal symptoms you may experience after giving up. Read more about stopping smoking and stop smoking treatments. Regularly drinking alcohol above the maximum recommended limits can raise your blood pressure. Alcohol is also high in calories, so you'll gain weight if you drink regularly, which can further increase your blood pressure. Staying within the recommended levels is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure: Read more about alcohol units and tips on cutting down on alcohol.

Being overweight forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body, which can raise your blood pressure. Find out if you need to lose weight with the BMI healthy weight calculator. If you do need to lose weight, it's worth remembering that just losing a few pounds will make a big difference to your blood pressure and overall health. Get tips on losing weight safely. Being active and taking regular exercise helps keep your heart and blood vessels in good condition. Regular exercise can also help you lose weight and lower your blood pressure. Starting an exercise programme when you have angina can be challenging as physical activity may trigger the symptoms of an angina attack. But the more you exercise, the less likely it is you'll have an angina attack. Low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming and cycling, are recommended, whereas more strenuous activities, such as playing football and squash, should be avoided. Find out about walking for health, swimming for fitness, and the benefits of cycling.