As September begins and we mark Heart Month, many of us may be thinking about our health and wellbeing. When we think about heart health, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We are bombarded with information about blood pressure, cholesterol, exercise, weight, diet and stress. For many people, knowing where to start can be the hardest part.
That’s why the Irish Heart Foundation Love Your Heart campaign is encouraging people to start small, because when it comes to heart health, small changes can make a big difference.
Heart health is part of everyday life and small, sustainable changes can have a meaningful impact on your long-term health.
Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke and thrombosis, remains one of the leading causes of death in Ireland.
The encouraging news is that up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes.
You don’t need to transform your life overnight to support your heart health. Often, it’s the small things we do consistently that matter most. Whether that’s adding an extra serving of vegetables to a meal, taking a walk, learning your blood pressure numbers or finding more time to relax, small changes can add up over time.
Heart health is also shaped by more than our individual choices. Things like where we live, our access to healthcare, education, community connections and opportunities to be active can all play a role in our wellbeing. Recognising this helps create a more understanding and realistic conversation about health, one that acknowledges that everyone’s circumstances are different.
The important thing is finding positive changes that are achievable for you.
Taking time to understand your heart health can be an important first step.
A key Irish Heart Foundation resource, My Heart Health is designed to be practical and easy to use, it helps people understand their personal risk factors, learn about healthy habits, and identify next steps that work for their circumstances.
The most important message from the Love Your Heart campaign is that looking after your heart does not have to be complicated. By taking stock of where you are today and making one small positive change at a time, you can build habits that support your heart health for years to come.
Ireland international Orla Prendergast is supporting the Irish Heart Foundation after losing her father to heart disease, encouraging people across Ireland to take small steps to protect their heart health.
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