National Heart Week (April 29 – May 5) is a perfect time for healthcare professionals to encourage simple lifestyle changes that make a big impact on heart health. Whether you’re a GP, nurse, pharmacist, or allied health professional, your brief advice can empower patients to take charge of their cardiovascular risk. Below, we highlight five evidence-informed lifestyle tips – each easy to explain, backed by reputable UK guidelines, and geared towards preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Let’s make every patient interaction count this week with warm, clear advice that could save lives.
1. Quit Smoking – The Best Heart Decision
Smoking cessation is arguably the single most powerful lifestyle change for heart health. Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to people who never smoked [1]. The good news is that quitting starts to reduce this risk almost immediately. UK guidelines strongly advise offering support to every smoker [2]. NHS support services triple the likelihood of successful quitting [3]. During National Heart Week, consider proactive referral to local Stop Smoking services or NHS Better Health – Quit Smoking tools.
2. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet – More Plants, Less Salt and Saturated Fat
Diet plays a huge role in cardiovascular risk, and small improvements can yield big benefits. The NHS recommends a healthy, balanced diet low in saturated fat, salt, and sugar, and high in fibre, fruits, and vegetables [4]. Practical advice includes filling half the plate with vegetables, choosing wholegrains, and limiting salt intake to under 6g per day. Resources like the NHS Eatwell Guide and British Heart Foundation recipes can support patients.
3. Stay Physically Active – Get the Heart Pumping
Regular exercise strengthens the heart and improves cardiovascular markers. Physical activity can cut the risk of heart and circulatory disease by up to 35% [5]. UK guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly [6]. Encourage enjoyable activities like walking, cycling, or local exercise programs.
4. Maintain a Healthy Weight – Lighten the Cardiac Load
Maintaining a healthy weight protects against multiple heart disease risk factors. Even modest weight loss (5–10%) brings meaningful benefits [7]. NICE guidelines recommend referring patients to structured weight management programs [8]. The NHS Better Health – Lose Weight initiative offers practical support.
5. Limit Alcohol – Keep Drinks Heart-Smart
Excessive alcohol intake increases cardiovascular risks. Advise staying within the 14 units per week limit [9]. Encourage alcohol-free days and educate about low-alcohol options. NHS tools like the alcohol unit calculator can assist patients.
A Heart Week Call to Action – Empower and Engage
As healthcare professionals dedicated to CVD prevention, National Heart Week is our moment to shine. Beyond prescriptions and protocols, our encouragement of healthy habits can profoundly impact patients’ lives.
Call to action: This week, make it a point to start one heart-health conversation with each patient you see. Whether it’s asking about smoking cessation, praising a weight loss milestone, or recommending a diet improvement, each conversation plants a seed for a healthier future.
Together, we can inspire patients to take small steps that lead to big heart-health rewards. Here’s to a heart-healthy week and many healthier hearts ahead!