Health Advice

The Y:Active Programmes team work in partnership with the local NHS to deliver free and subsidised physical activity programmes which are designed to support people in adopting a healthier lifestyle.

The advice detailed below is delivered as part of the instruction received during participation on our adult Y:Active Programmes.

How to Lower Your Blood Pressure

Firstly what is blood pressure?

When your heart beats, it pumps blood around our body to give it the energy and oxygen it needs. As the blood moves, it pushes against the sides of the blood vessels. The pressure of this pushing is known as your blood pressure.

If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your arteries and heart and this may lead to heart attacks and strokes.

High blood pressure is a condition that affects many of us and doubtless we all know someone who has been identified as having high blood pressure. There are steps you can take to control your blood pressure and here is our guide to helping you achieve healthy blood pressure readings.

Achieve healthy blood pressure readings.

• 1. Cut down on your salt intake. It has been shown that too much salt will increase blood pressure. Most of the salt you eat will be present in prepared foods such as bread, microwave meals and breakfast cereals so it is doubly important that we don’t add more salt during cooking or at the table. Your taste buds will adjust, but if you don’t cut down your arteries may not!
• 2. Get Active – Get Y:Active! Sounds easy and it really is. Department of Health guidance states we should all aim to exercise for 30 minutes a day, but remember this can be accumulated throughout the day and doesn’t have to be completed in one block of 30 minutes. On this website you can find out more about the different ways to be active on the Fylde Coast. Check out our Centres for starters. Alternatively if you have a health condition you may be eligible for our GP Exercise Referral Programme.
• 3. Reduce your alcohol intake. Try to stick within the recommended guidelines of less than 21 units for males and less than 14 units for females. Remember that 1 unit is roughly the equivalent of half a pint of beer or a small glass of wine. For more information visit www.units.nhs.uk.