Find out how to reduce your risk of heart disease and the supplements that could help
Deaths from heart attacks have been falling in the UK for the last 25 years, yet heart disease is still more common in Britain than many European countries. One disorder in particular, atrial fibrillation (AF), affects about 1.2million people in the UK and is rising by five per cent each year. “AF is associated with stroke and heart failure and more recently with dementia,” explains Dr Adam Fitzpatrick, Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist from BMI The Alexandra Hospital. “It is also the cause of 10,000 avoidable strokes each year.”
Who could heart disease affect?
Many people are prone to heart disease because of genetic reasons. There are also two very potent and unavoidable risks - age and gender. “Of 100 patients aged 60 suffering from heart disease, 80 per cent will be men,” says Dr Fitzpatrick. “Most of the females will be smokers.”
Patients with heart disease typically suffer from chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness or blackouts. In some cases, heart disease could cause vague symptoms, such as tiredness, weakness, poor sleep and poor activity. “In these patients the underlying cause might often be AF,” Dr Fitzpatrick adds.
Everything in moderation
Regular exercise, especially walking, could help reduce your risk of heart disease. It’s also important to include fruit and vegetables in your diet. “Heart disease deaths are much lower in southern European countries where dietary habits are very different,” says Dr Fitzpatrick. “A good balance of nutritious food is important for both heart health and general health. Obesity is a very potent risk for heart disease, as well as hypertension and diabetes,” he says. “Try not to eat too much red meat, carbohydrates or sugar and take salt in moderation. Salt is an essential mineral and shouldn’t be avoided.”
You could also add supplements to your diet to help lower the risk of heart disease:
Omega 3: Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid that could help reduce your risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol levels, and improve your overall health. Your body can’t produce omega 3 naturally but it can be sourced from oily fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, or by taking a daily supplement. Cod liver oil is also a rich source of omega 3 and could help lubricate joints - very beneficial if you’re exercising to keep heart disease at bay.
CoQ10: Co-Q10 is an essential nutrient found in the cells closest to the heart. It’s responsible for giving us energy. As we get older the rate our bodies produce co-Q10 naturally declines so we need to source it from our diet. Co-Q10 can be found in meat, fish, and wholegrains.
February is National Heart Month. If heart disease runs in your family, now could be the time to have a check-up with your doctor.
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