Healthcare Innovations • Sunday 26 July 2020


Specialist clinics • 49


PHOTO BY TRANG DOAN FROM PEXELS 20:20 vision for good health


As we head towards the end of 2020, and readjust to our new normal, each and every one of us will, no doubt, take time to reflect on how coronavirus has changed our lives and reshaped our views


Every day our understanding of what this novel virus can do to our bodies deepens, bringing both hope and uncertainty. Our general health and wellbeing, both physically and psychologically, has never been more on our radar for continued mainte- nance and balance.


disease and diabetes. While these conditions may be inherited, and we can’t change our genes, often there’s still room for personal improvement, with changes to our diet, increasing our levels of activity and stopping smoking or vaping. Lasting wellbeing can be achieved by making small changes to our daily life. During lockdown, our once-daily


exercise became perhaps the most valued time of the day, and it helped to maintain our levels of physical, as well as psychological, fitness. Improved levels of physical conditioning can reduce heart disease risk, by improved hypertension control and reducing BMI, which can result in better blood sugar and diabetes control. Gentle, regular exercise can reduce


Research data interpretation may


vary, but what has been demonstrated in coronavirus, as with most health conditions, is that the risk of compli- cations is reduced if heart disease is tackled, or better still, prevented. We’ve learned that the risk to health with coronavirus


is increased in


those with a higher body mass index (BMI), hypertension, ischaemic heart


blood pressure, improve our mental well being and improve the quality of our sleep, which in turn can reduce the risk of heart disease. Exercise doesn’t need to be vigorous or expen- sive. Walking our children to school, rather than taking transport, is one way of increasing our daily activity, along with taking the stairs rather than the lift, is another. As we witnessed during lockdown, free exer- cise regimes are widely available via


During lockdown, our once-daily exercise helped to maintain our physical and psychological fitness. Improved levels of physical conditioning can reduce heart disease risk, by improved hypertension control and reducing BMI


MEET THE EXPERT


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.


the internet, so home exercise has become more accessible with little to no cost. But do choose wisely and check that programmes followed are those from a certified specialist. Sleep hygiene describes factors that


may account for either good or poor sleep. Chronic poor sleep may, over time, affect both our cardiovascular system, as well as our mental health, so this may be another area of your health that requires expert advice. Many diets are advertised, but the


key to success is balance. A higher protein diet, unless otherwise medi- cally recommended, with fresh fruit and vegetables, good hydra- tion and vitamin D supplementa- tion, if required, is a good start. Tirst can be misinterpreted as hunger,


so remaining well-hydrated is key; two to three litres of water a day for an adult, unless advised to fluid-restrict for health reasons, can prove beneficial. Information is readily available,


but not all published information provides good advice. When it comes to your health, do not procrastinate in seeking expert advice. If you have any concerns relating to your heart, consult immediately, and only, with a healthcare professional, such as your GP or a cardiologist.


Laura Stacey (PA)


T: 07415510585 E: laurastacey.cardio@gmail.com Twitter @PantazopoulosDr


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60