Healthy heart

Educating people about the risk factors of heart disease and persuading them to adopt a healthier lifestyle can have an impact on the number of people dying from heart disease and stroke.

Encouraging people to stop smoking, drink less, eat better and exercise regularly are particularly important. Doctors can help by asking about smoking habits and encouraging patients to use nicotine replacement treatment, such as nicotine patches.

Even if you've already been diagnosed with heart disease, making lifestyle changes can help you live a longer, healthier and more enjoyable life.

Active heart

Being active is essential for a healthy heart for the simple reason that your heart is a muscle. Even if you haven't been active for some time, your heart can become stronger so it's able to pump more efficiently, giving you more stamina and greater energy. Becoming more active will also improve the ability of your body's tissues to extract oxygen from your blood, help you maintain healthy levels of blood fats and speed your metabolism.

If you are overweight, you're 80 per cent more at risk of heart disease. The best way to control your weight is to eat a healthy diet and take regular exercise.

Three types of exercise are vital for all-round fitness: aerobic, resistance training and flexibility.