Heart Health Month: expert shares 5 tips for a healthy heart

Did you know that approximately 1.2 million Australians over the age of 18 experience heart health issues at some point in their lifetime? As February is Heart Health Month we sat down with Eric Chan, Head of Pharmacy at Blooms The Chemist, who shared expert insights on his top 5 ways to support your cardiovascular health. Eat a heart healthy diet Try to avoid eating food with high levels of added sugars, salts and saturated fats as excessive consumption has been shown to increase your risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Try to include leafy greens, wholegrains, berries and protein rich foods. You can also head into your local Blooms The Chemist to undertake one of their free health checks for cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Incorporate exercise into your routine Exercise is crucial for supporting a healthy heart. Regular moderate to vigorous exercise may help to lower blood pressure, help improve blood flow, and help lower cholesterol levels. Incorporating aerobic exercises, resistance training and flexibility/stretching work can all help to support your cardiovascular health. Find ways to ease your stress levels While some stress may be a normal part of life, too much can be a bad thing, especially for the health of your heart. High levels of cortisol from long-term stress may increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. To help ease your stress levels, try to find a relaxing activity that you enjoy, like meditation, yoga or listening to music. Blooms The Chemist also has trained 110 staff in Mental Health… Read More