Latest news with #BritishHeartFoundation
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Four ways you can boost your health and happiness for free
YOU can boost your health and happiness for free. These ideas are easy to integrate into your daily life — and you will find extra benefits by combining two or more. WALK THE WALK: The NHS says even a brisk ten-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits. Boost this by connecting with nature with a walk in a park, forest or beside water. Include a hill or two to challenge yourself, or aim to speed up for short bursts. Get even more benefits by heading out with friends or joining a local walking group. PICTURE THIS: Visiting museums and art galleries could put you in the picture of health, according to Art Fund's See More, Live More campaign, and it is even linked to a lower risk of dying early. There are galleries and museums all over that don't charge an entry fee. See . Just getting out of the house is the first step, so try to spend time around others in parks, libraries, or cafes, for example. Join a class or club to find people who share similar interests, and you will get extra health points if you take part in exercise. Volunteering is also great as it not only helps your community but boosts your mental health as you will be meeting new people. The 15 signs a loved one is struggling with their mental health - and how to help THE BEST MEDICINE: Laughter really is one of the best health boosts. Giggling releases feel-good endorphins, boosts the air you take in and reduces stress hormones, which calms your heart rate and blood pressure, according to the British Heart Foundation. Sharing a laugh with mates is free, so make plans with your most uplifting pals. Or take in your favourite comedy shows on TV or search comedy podcasts — they are free at BBC Sounds. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability. 7 Deal of the day TURN heads with Boots ' Love Island beauty box. It's packed with goodies such as lip oil and highlighting powder. It's worth £290.92, but get the set for £55. Cheap treat SLIP your feet into these lilac chunky-sole trainers. They are in the sale at New Look for £7, down from £22.99. Top swap KEEP warm on cooler days with this crew-neck cardi for £19.50 from M&S. Or get a similar style for just £8 at Primark. Shop & save STAY ahead of the class next term with this double-decker lunchbox, down from £20 to £10 at Smiggle. It's available in five colours. SAVE: £10 Hot right now MORRISONS now has an online photo service for you to print pictures, and create key chains and coasters, with items from £1.99. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you'll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Heart attack alert as 5m Brits living undiagnosed with 'silent killer' condition
Failing to diagnose and treat this condition risks creating a 'powder keg' of future ill health, according to the British Heart Foundation. Health experts have warned that around five million Brits living with an undiagnosed 'silent killer' condition are at risk of heart attacks and strokes. It is estimated that millions of people in the UK currently have high blood pressure, but aren't aware. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a condition where the force of your blood against your artery walls is consistently too high. Over time this can cause damage to the blood vessels as well as organs. It is also a key contributing factor to many serious medical issues. However, it typically doesn't appear with any symptoms - earning it the nickname as a "silent killer". In an update provided by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) as many as 125,000 heart attacks and strokes could be prevented in the coming decade by finding and treating the millions of people with undiagnosed high blood pressure in the UK,. The charity warned that failing to do so risks creating a 'powder keg' of future ill health that threatens to 'devastate families' and pile 'unsustainable pressure' on the NHS. Around half of heart attacks and strokes are linked to high blood pressure condition, it said. The BHF said: 'Of the 16 million adults in the UK estimated to have high blood pressure, up to half are not receiving effective treatment, our latest estimates show. As many as five million are estimated to have undiagnosed high blood pressure.' It is now calling on the UK to 'reimagine how it prevents cardiovascular disease' through research and innovation. Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the BHF, said: 'Huge gains can be made by reimagining how we detect and treat common risk factors for cardiovascular disease such high blood pressure. "But at the moment, millions of people are still living undiagnosed with these conditions, which raise the risk of serious illness such as heart attack and stroke – this is a powder keg for the nation's future health, so making sure these people are identified and treated is critical. 'Such change is within our grasp – years of medical advances mean we have highly effective, evidence-based treatments to treat high blood pressure. This is one of the many tools we have to stop heart disease before it starts, but we must get more effective at identifying those at risk and treating them. "Moreover, we must change the way we approach disease prevention, making it more convenient to access and by using cutting edge science and technology to more precisely identify and effectively treat people at risk, so that serious illness is avoided in the first place.' What is considered to be high blood pressure? The only way to be sure if your blood pressure is too high is to get it tested. You can do this either with an at-home kit or by asking your GP or pharmacist. Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers, with the first number higher than the second (for example, 130/80). According to the NHS, if you're under 80 years of age, you're usually considered to have high blood pressure if your reading is either: 140/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional 135/85 or higher when checked at home If you're aged 80 or over, you're usually considered to have high blood pressure if your reading is either: 150/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional 145/85 or higher when checked at home To lower your blood pressure, the NHS recommends you: Have a healthy, balanced diet Exercise regularly – aim to do at least 150 minutes of exercise a week Lose weight if you're overweight Do not eat too much salt – avoid salty food or adding salt to your meals Do not drink too much alcohol – avoid drinking more than 14 alcohol units a week on a regular basis Do not drink too much caffeine – drinks high in caffeine include coffee, tea and cola Do not smoke If you're concerned about your blood pressure, you should speak to your GP.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Former rugby player to take on world-record swim with Scottish Canals
FORMER flanker for Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby Iain Sinclair has allied with Scottish Canals in hopes of becoming the first person to swim the full length of the Caledonian Canal. The 48-year-old aims to tackle and overcome the full 60 miles of the Canal, including 29 locks, starting on September 15 and completing the challenge within 10 days. He is raising awareness for three charities that hold a personal significance to him: Crohn's & Colitis UK, British Heart Foundation, and mental health charity Mikeysline. Sinclair said: 'After some research, I discovered no-one had ever swum the full length of the Caledonian Canal, from sea to sea across the Highlands of Scotland. 'It's long, cold water, and logistically quite tricky. 'Swimming was always the hardest part of the triathlon for me, heavy rugby player legs and the nickname 'Sinky' says it all, so anything that involved swimming would by default, be a challenge. 'I thought it might be fun to build a small team and create our own wee bit of history, perhaps inspire others and raise money for great causes close to us in the process.' He has faced significant health challenges. Diagnosed with indeterminate colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, he underwent major life-changing surgery in 2013 to remove his colon and another operation to reverse the stoma and form an internal pouch using his remaining small intestine. Two years later, determined not to be defined by illness, he completed an Ironman triathlon alongside his friend Colin Maguire, raising funds for Crohn's & Colitis UK in the process. In 2024, Maguire died of a sudden heart attack – and Sinclair also lost Jenny Hastings, the wife of his friend and former Watsonians and Edinburgh Rugby teammate Scott Hastings. He is raising money for the British Heart Foundation and Mikeysline in their memory. Claire Maguire, wife to Colin, in support of Sinclair, said: 'It means the world to me and my boys that Iain is taking on this open water challenge in memory of Colin and other special friends. 'Iain's challenge will raise vital funds for the British Heart Foundation, a cause very close to my heart.' Also backing Sinclair is former teammate Scott Hastings, who said: 'It's with huge admiration that Iain is embarking on this amazing challenge in memory of my wife Jenny. 'I am delighted that Iain has chosen the mental health charity, Mikeysline, one of the three benefitting charities of this groundbreaking challenge. 'I look forward to being part of Iain's support team as he takes on this amazing feat.' Sinclair went on: 'I'm genuinely humbled to have the support and input of a hugely experienced and capable core group of people, along with the amazing support from our partners at Scottish Canals. 'From fitness and safety experts to friends, mentors, and family, it's been a shared effort from the start. 'I'm especially grateful for the support of my wife and our three children, the ones I hope to make proud above all. 'We're going to give this everything we've got.'
The National
2 days ago
- Health
- The National
Former rugby player to take on world-record swim with Scottish Canals
The 48-year-old aims to tackle and overcome the full 60 miles of the Canal, including 29 locks, starting on September 15 and completing the challenge within 10 days. He is raising awareness for three charities that hold a personal significance to him: Crohn's & Colitis UK, British Heart Foundation, and mental health charity Mikeysline. Sinclair said: 'After some research, I discovered no-one had ever swum the full length of the Caledonian Canal, from sea to sea across the Highlands of Scotland. 'It's long, cold water, and logistically quite tricky. 'Swimming was always the hardest part of the triathlon for me, heavy rugby player legs and the nickname 'Sinky' says it all, so anything that involved swimming would by default, be a challenge. 'I thought it might be fun to build a small team and create our own wee bit of history, perhaps inspire others and raise money for great causes close to us in the process.' He has faced significant health challenges. Diagnosed with indeterminate colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, he underwent major life-changing surgery in 2013 to remove his colon and another operation to reverse the stoma and form an internal pouch using his remaining small intestine. Two years later, determined not to be defined by illness, he completed an Ironman triathlon alongside his friend Colin Maguire, raising funds for Crohn's & Colitis UK in the process. In 2024, Maguire died of a sudden heart attack – and Sinclair also lost Jenny Hastings, the wife of his friend and former Watsonians and Edinburgh Rugby teammate Scott Hastings. He is raising money for the British Heart Foundation and Mikeysline in their memory. Claire Maguire, wife to Colin, in support of Sinclair, said: 'It means the world to me and my boys that Iain is taking on this open water challenge in memory of Colin and other special friends. 'Iain's challenge will raise vital funds for the British Heart Foundation, a cause very close to my heart.' Also backing Sinclair is former teammate Scott Hastings, who said: 'It's with huge admiration that Iain is embarking on this amazing challenge in memory of my wife Jenny. 'I am delighted that Iain has chosen the mental health charity, Mikeysline, one of the three benefitting charities of this groundbreaking challenge. 'I look forward to being part of Iain's support team as he takes on this amazing feat.' Sinclair went on: 'I'm genuinely humbled to have the support and input of a hugely experienced and capable core group of people, along with the amazing support from our partners at Scottish Canals. 'From fitness and safety experts to friends, mentors, and family, it's been a shared effort from the start. 'I'm especially grateful for the support of my wife and our three children, the ones I hope to make proud above all. 'We're going to give this everything we've got.'
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Pontardawe Inn crowned Welsh Pub of the Year at awards
Pontardawe Inn on Herbert Street attended the Prestige Awards on July 17 at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol and received the accolade for the third consecutive year. The pub, which is run by couple Sion Partridge and Michelle Solomon, is also a finalist for Best Pub For Entertainment in the Great British Pub Awards 2025 on September 24. Michelle and Sion with Emma Doyle from Sweet Williams - another business in Pontardawe that won Gift Shop of the Year. (Image: Sion Partridge) Co-owner of Pontardawe Inn, Sion Partridge said: 'It's great. We have been nominated for quite a few awards. We have owned the pub for the last three years after I previously worked here as an employee. 'It just goes to show the hard work all the team has put in. At the end of the day, you don't know how something is going to go unless you try. 'People visit us because they like our drinks, but because of the entertainment we offer and to see us too. We always have a bit of banter with our customers, and we are not your run of the mill pub. 'A lot of our customers come from loyalty. We have people who visit us day in and day out. You can't buy that.' The pub hosted a pride event for the community. (Image: Sion Partridge) Sion and Michelle have both worked in the hospitality industry for many years. Michelle has experience with hotels whereas Sion has previously worked at nightclubs and pubs around Cardiff. Since taking over the pub, the couple has had a two-way relationship with their customers, helping each other out during tough times. A 'Dartathon' was held to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. (Image: Sion Partridge) Sion continued: 'When there's been power blackouts and people had no electricity; we allowed locals to come here to charge their phones. 'Similarly, when we had problems with flooding in the past, the outpour from locals to help us was amazing. It's a lovely community.' Pontardawe Inn has won Welsh Pub of the Year for the last three years. (Image: Sion Partridge) Pontardawe Inn is renowned for hosting events and on September 13, a Folk & Ale festival will be held at the pub. 'We have previously held pride events, and we were the only pub in the area to do it. The town came together and really enjoyed it. Running a pub is all about people management. 'The pub itself is the hub of our community, and we have given back by raising over £10,000 for various charities like Dementia UK, Prostate Cancer as well as funds for our local foodbank.' A Pontardawe Folk & Ale Festival will take place at the pub on September 13. (Image: Sion Partridge) As a work couple, Sion admits that every decision for the pub is made jointly with Michelle. 'We live in a world where everyone assumes the man is in charge, but Michelle often says she can answer customer queries rather than them always being referred to me. We work hard to make this all work.'
