Dr Hilary Jones issued a stark warning about one common lifestyle choice that ‘doubles the risk’ of suffering a heart attack.
It comes as the NHS GP shared his insight on how to maintain good heart health. The well-known doctor, famed for his informative segments on TV programmes like Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, revealed his advice during an Instagram video for Healthspan.
Clutching a human heart model, Dr Hilary urged followers with the earnest reminder: “Take a look at this, this is exactly what your heart looks like. I think you’ll agree, considering what it does for you, that it’s worth looking after.”
He highlighted the risk of being overweight and the importance of regular exercise for heart conditioning: “Don’t strain it [your heart] by carrying too much weight, exercise it regularly – it’s a muscle – it loves a bit of exercise.”
The doctor also cautioned viewers against overloading their hearts with cholesterol. Touching on a widespread vice, Dr Hilary stressed: “Don’t smoke, your heart hates that,” and then quizzed his audience, “What do you do to look after your heart?”
The NHS corroborates the dangers he mentions, outlining that smoking markedly increases the chances of developing heart-related illnesses, such as coronary artery disease and strokes, and smokers are almost twice as likely to experience a heart attack when compared to non-smokers.
Meanwhile, the health service underscores the various benefits of kicking the habit which include improved overall physical health, diminished likelihood of contracting diseases attributed to smoking – namely cancer, pulmonary and heart diseases – and enhanced mental health.
The NHS has compiled a list of the most effective products to help you quit smoking, along with support options for those keen to kick the habit.