A healthy lifestyle is really important for a healthy heart. This includes diet, physical activity, stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight. Take a look at the BDA resource for more information about a 'heart healthy' diet, which may help you to reduce cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and reduce risk of diabetes.

Top tips

Top tips include:

  • Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day
  • Have two portions of fish a week, one of which should be an oily fish (like salmon, mackerel or sardines)
  • Limit processed foods, pastries, fried and fast food
  • Choose unprocessed meat or fish, or vegetarian proteins
  • Have plant based spreads such as olive, rapeseed or sunflower oil
  • Look for foods higher in fibre, including brown bread, breakfast cereals, oats, brown rice and pasta, plus beans, peas, lentils and vegetables
  • Fruit, fruit loaf, unsalted nuts, seeds, low fat yoghurt, high fibre cereals, plain crackers or oatcakes can all make healthy snacks
  • Limit salt intake by eating less processed and takeaway foods, salty snacks such as crisps and nuts, sauces, gravy products and condiments like ketchup
  • Limit alcohol intake (no more than 14 units per week for men spread over three or more days)
  • Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day
  • Avoid smoking