Dr Hilary Jones has offered his expert advice on maintaining a healthy heart, cautioning against a particular habit that ‘doubles the risk’ of experiencing a heart attack.
The well-known NHS GP, famed for his contributions to ITV programmes like Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, shared his ‘heart health hacks’ in a video posted on Healthspan’s Instagram account. The 71-year-old, seen in the video presenting a heart model, said to viewers: “Take a look at this, this is exactly what your heart looks like. I think you’ll agree, considering what it does for you, that it’s worth looking after.”
He initially warned individuals about the dangers of being overweight, saying: “Don’t strain it [your heart] by carrying too much weight, exercise it regularly it’s a muscle it loves a bit of exercise.”. He went on to caution viewers about ‘clogging up your heart’ with excessive cholesterol.
Tackling a common practice, Dr Hilary said: “Don’t smoke, your heart hates that,” followed by questioning viewers with: “What do you do to look after your heart?”.
The NHS highlights smoking as a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which includes coronary heart disease and stroke. It also indicates that the likelihood of having a heart attack is almost double for smokers compared to non-smokers.
Additionally, the health service notes that benefits of quitting smoking encompass enhanced physical health, a lowered chance of developing smoking-related ailments such as cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and stroke, as well as improved mental health.
The NHS has compiled a list of the most effective products to help quit smoking, along with support options for those keen to kick the habit. You can find more information on its website.