February is Heart Month and this year the British Heart Foundation are urging people to take at least 10 minutes a day to help improve their own heart health as well as support their annual fundraiser, Wear it. Beat it.
There are currently seven million people in the UK living with cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attack and stroke. However, in many cases people can reduce their risk of these conditions by improving their diet, doing more physical activity and quitting smoking.
New statistics they are releasing today show that less than a third (30%) of adults in England eat five pieces of f
ruit and vegetables a day, and 33% of men and nearly half (45%) of women do not do the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity a week.
In response, they are encouraging people to ‘start small’ by taking at least 10 minutes every day to make a small change towards a healthier lifestyle during February’s Heart Month. This is in line with government recommendations that adults should aim to be active daily, ‘in bouts of 10 minutes or more’, adding up to at least 150 minutes per week.
Catherine Kelly, the Director of Prevention, Survival and Support at the BHF, said: “The public have told us loud and clear that time and motivation are fundamental barriers to a healthy lifestyle. We have to listen to their concerns and during this Heart Month we are offering people manageable and realistic guidance to help make small changes to their extremely busy routines.
“We know that changing the simplest everyday habits can make a big difference – from getting off the bus two stops early to eating more fruit and veg, and building bite-sized chunks of physical activity in to your everyday life. During Heart Month we’re urging everyone to take on the Heart month 10 minute challenge to improve their heart health as well as join our Wear it. Beat it. fundraising event on 6 February to fund life saving research.”
Get involved
During Heart Month the BHF is offering an email support programme and advice to help people improve their diet, get more active or quit smoking. For more information about the Heart Month 10 minute challenge visit here or join the conversation on social media using the hashtag, #10MinChallenge
The BHF are also encouraging to support the annual Wear it. Beat it. fundraising event to raise money for the life saving research.
Get your free Wear it. Beat it. fundraising kit here or call 0300 330 0645.