Your Health - Hints & Tips
At Westpark Fitness, we are passionate about getting you moving. And to get moving, you need to get inspired. Now, that’s where we come in. Read our articles for some expert insight into upcoming exercise innovations, new classes, training tips, plus common pitfalls to avoid so you can reach your exercise and wellness goals.
Have a Healthy Heart this Christmas
Research shows that death rate from heart attacks and strokes rise during the Christmas period with excess alcohol consumption, over-eating and lack of exercise.
According to Dr. Mike Mead GP & medical advisor at the blood pressure association you can head off possible heart & stroke attacks by getting your blood pressure checked regularly. They are quick and painless and can be done in a matter of minutes here at Westpark. It is also important to have your cholesterol checked (again this can be done here at Westpark). You can keep a regular check on both blood pressure and cholesterol.
Blood Pressure Reading:
120/80: Less then 120/80 is a healthy blood pressure reading, the lower the better as blood pressure tends to rise with age.
120/80 – 129/84: Average – but you would benefit from lowering it.
130/85 – 139/89: Normal – but if its on the high side of normal you should make changes to your lifestyle to lower it
140/90: This is the level used to diagnose high blood pressure, so if it’s raised at this level or above it is very important that it is treated under supervision by a doctor.
3 Tips for lowering your Blood Pressure:
- Cut down on salt: Eat no more then 6grams of salt per day. Around 70% of the salt in our diet has been added already to the foods we eat, so watch out for hidden salt in bread, cereals, processed meats, cheeses and ready made meals.
- Get Fruity: Eat at least 5 portions of fruit & veg per day – you can go as high as 7 to 9 portions a day.
- Weigh up your choices: Finds and reach your ideal body weight. Do a BMI test (which can be done on our BMI calculator located on Westpark’s home page), your blood pressure will lower as you reach your ideal body weight.
