Here are few tips for how to help yourself to a healthier heart:

CUT DOWN ON SALT - Use herbs and spices to add flavour to your food instead, and check labels for the salt content on processed food, sauces and ready meal - more than 1.25g salt per 100g means a high content.

STOCK UP YOUR FRUIT BOWL - Aim to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Make it easy by adding chopped berries to your breakfast cereal and snacking on fruit instead of high-fat, high-sugar snacks.

LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME - and walk. More exercise in your daily routine can help your weight, fitness and blood pressure. Try to find activities you enjoy, and set a regular schedule.

CUT BACK ON ALCOHOL - You shouldn't drink more than two units a day if you are a woman and three units if you are a man. When you are out with friends, why not alternate between alcoholic drinks and glasses of water?

SWITCH TO GOOD FATS - Replace saturated fats with unsaturated by using sunflower or olive oil-based spreads and low-fat dairy products, such as skimmed or semi-skimmed milk.

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