Ten Minutes A Day For A Stronger Heart

Your heart beats about a hundred thousand times a day. Ten minutes of the right habits, every day, does more for it than any single test we can run.

Start With A Walk

A brisk ten-minute walk after each meal lowers blood sugar and blood pressure more than one long walk at the weekend. Pick a route, set a reminder and make it the easiest part of your day.

If you have had chest pain, breathlessness or dizziness with exercise, talk to us before you start: a stress test in the cardiology clinic tells us how hard you can safely push.

The best heart medicine I prescribe is a pair of comfortable shoes and a reason to use them.

Know Your Numbers

Three numbers tell most of the story. Check them once a year, or more often if they are high:

• Blood PressureBelow 120 / 80
• LDL CholesterolBelow 100 mg/dL
• Resting Heart Rate60 – 100 bpm

Small Swaps, Big Change

Less salt in the pan, more beans on the plate, water instead of soda, and an early night. None of it is dramatic, and that is the point: habits you keep beat plans you abandon.