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Only 5% of Brits Eat Healthily To Prevent UK's Biggest Killer

Brits are always looking for the next quick lifestyle fix to improve their health, yet new research reveals that only 5% do so in order to lower their cholesterol and blood pressure.
Food & Drink, Lifestyle - 12 May 2011   Download IconContent available for download:  
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New research reveals that 64% of Brits take no active measure to reduce their blood pressure or cholesterol levels, despite the fact that over a third (39%) know someone who has been affected by heart disease. Heart disease is the UK’s biggest killer and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increased by high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Over two thirds (68%) claim that they understand the causes of heart disease, yet out of those who actively try and eat a healthy diet, only 3% do so in order to lower their cholesterol and only 2% eat a healthy diet in order to lower their blood pressure.

More than 16 million Brits currently suffer from high blood pressure and the UK also has one of the highest average cholesterol concentrations in the world, with as many as 66% of adults living with blood cholesterol levels that are higher than recommended. Heart disease kills more people in the UK than any other condition, yet it seems that the British public are not doing enough to prevent it.

. Introduction:

Brits are always looking for the next quick lifestyle fix to improve their health, yet new research reveals that we are not doing enough in terms of long-term lifestyle changes to improve our health and well-being. Heart disease is the UK’s biggest killer, yet the majority of Brits take no active measure to reduce their blood pressure or cholesterol, despite many of us knowing someone who has been affected by the disease. Most of us claim we understand the causes of heart disease but it seems that we are not doing enough to prevent it.

So what is the sensible approach to improving our heart health?

Joining us to discuss this further is GP and Registered Nutritionist, Dr Sarah Brewer.

. Suggested Questions:

What does the research reveal about heart health in our area?

What is heart disease and what causes it?

Why is heart disease Britain’s biggest killer?

What advice have you got for living a healthy lifestyle?

How can health supplements help to prevent heart disease?

Where can our listeners go to find out more?