Saturday 28th March 2020 • Promotional Content


Specialist clinics Healthcare Innovations 23


Staying healthy


Dr Pantazopoulos, a consultant cardiologist at Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, shares his top tips for following a well- balanced, healthy lifestyle


Photo by Trang Doan from Pexels


health issues. Maintaining good mental health and physical wellbeing quite rightly features more in our day-to-day lives. But then, we still hear ourselves


“T saying things like:


‘Work and home life are so stressful’; ‘gym membership is so expensive’; ‘what do I tell my children when they worry about climate change?’; or ‘I’ve no time for myself ’. Some, if not all, of these issues may


have crossed your mind. So what’s to be done?


he rapid advances in healthcare


and IT have brought with them new


in gentle and effective weight loss, often without the need to follow a complex diet. Effective and healthy weight loss should be a gentle affair; there’s no rush. Remember to avoid sugary drinks, including alcohol, as these contain ‘empty calories’. Good-quality sleep is essential; bad


‘sleep hygiene’ (like going to bed too late) can lead to health issues, such as depression, lack of concentration with increased risk of accidents, poorly controlled diabetes and heart disease. Simple measures can improve our sleep quality, such as not eating or drinking large amounts for a couple of hours before retiring to bed and purchasing a comfortable mattress and pillow. Preparing our mind for rest is always key, such as avoidance of any IT for at least an hour before going to bed, dimming the lights or taking a warm shower or bath. During the day, we can reduce the number of caffein- ated drinks we consume and try to reduce screen time or mobile phone usage if and whenever possible. Small, cost-neutral adjustments to


‘You are what you eat and absorb’


was the mantra taught to me during my medical training, and it still holds true. A well-balanced diet of fresh fruit, vegetables and protein, from whatever source, will work well, along with drinking two-to-three litres of water per day, unless other- wise advised. Hydration is especially key to brain and kidney function. Reduction in portion sizes can result


routines can improve fitness levels. Using the stairs instead of taking the lift at work, walking the kids to school rather than driving (if time allows) or doing a spot of gardening can help. Tese changes can improve psycho- logical and physiological wellbeing. Cough étiquette is a phrase that has


reappeared, particularly during the recent flu season and with COVID-19 (coronavirus). If you need to sneeze or cough, turn your head and do so into a disposable tissue. Dispose of this as soon as possible into a bin or place in a disposable bag until later. Wash your


MEET THE EXPERT


“Bad-quality sleep can lead to health issues such as depression, lack of concentration, poorly controlled diabetes and heart disease. Simple measures can improve sleep quality, such as not eating or drinking large amounts before bed and buying a comfortable mattress and pillow”


hands with soap and water, ideally for 20 seconds; if this isn’t always possible, try to carry hand gel with you. Tere’s a wealth of advice on the


internet about staying healthy, but not all advice is helpful or correct, so chose information from trusted sites, such as the British Heart Foundation. Healthcare professionals will always guide you when seeking information. Whether via a virtual clinic or in person, if you have any health issues or questions, always — and only — seek expert medical advice.”


Laura Stacey (PA) T: 07415510585 E: laurastacey.cardio@gmail.com Twitter @PantazopoulosDr


Dr Nick Pantazopoulos is a Consultant Cardiologist at Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust. He qualified in 1994 from Queensland University, Australia. He gained experience in general medicine as a hospital intern in Brisbane, as a doctor in the Greek Armed Forces and as part of an air retrieval service in the Greek islands. He specialised in cardiology at Athens University and pursued subspecialist training in echocardiography and cardiac catheterisation at St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia. He trained in Cardiac CT at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.


PHOTOGRAPH: IMAGE BY PUBLICDOMAINPICTURES FROM PIXABAY


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