10 Tips For Women to Maintain a Healthy Heart

There are many steps a woman can take to maintain a healthy heart:

• Perform 300 minutes a week of aerobic physical activity of moderate intensity (brisk walking, slow cycling, painting/decorating, vacuuming, dancing, water aerobics, gardening, jogging) or 150 minutes a week of vigorous intensity (race-walking, running, fast cycling, swimming laps, tennis)
• Reduce salt intake to <5g per day
• Eat >200g of fruit per day (2-3 servings)
• Eat >200g of vegetables per day (2-3 servings)
• Eat 30-45g of fibre per day, preferably from wholegrain products
• If you have a history of pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-related hypertension, you need screening for established hypertension and diabetes every year
• If you have a history of polycystic ovary syndrome or gestational diabetes, you need screening for established diabetes every year
• Ask for help if you suffer from excess stress at work or in your family life or from depression. Psychosocial factors have a significant effect on lifetime cardiovascular risk
• Limit your alcohol consumption to 1 glass per day (10g/d)
• Maintain or aim towards a body mass index (BMI) of 20-25 kg/m2

For more information, you may find it useful to reach out to a private cardiologist.