Healthy heart, healthy body
February is National Heart Month and February 26 is National Wear Red Day. We check sites that can help keep your heart, and the rest of your body, healthy.
1. Focus on the heart. The first port of call is the British Heart Foundation site (http://www.bhf.org.uk) that explains how to get involved in the National Wear Red Day campaign. You can improve your understanding of various heart conditions and complete a lifestyle check with tips for keeping your heart in good shape. One of our favourite sites is NetDoctor which has a great deal of information about heart health (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/focus/heart).
2. General medical advice and knowledge. The NetDoctor site has information about 500 diseases and conditions, together with sections including seniors’ and children’s health. On the negative side, the ads now seem to be more intrusive. NHS Direct (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk) has a comprehensive health advice and information section that includes a health encyclopaedia and a self-help guide. Finally, check out WebMD (http://www.webmd.com) with tips, quizzes and calculators.
3. Symptoms. As well as the sites already mentioned, visit BBC Health (http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/heart) for its information about heart conditions, symptoms and checks. For the most comprehensive symptom checker, try the WebMD Symptom Checker (http://symptoms.webmd.com/default.htm). Finally, there could still be some swine ‘flu around so use the NHS Direct swine ‘flu symptom checker (http://bit.ly/flu231).
4. Online tests and keeping fit. If you suspect heart problems, see a doctor. But online checks can be useful for sight: A perception of vision (http://bit.ly/eye231) and hearing: RNID hearing check (http://bit.ly/deaf231). Above all, don’t forget exercise. We used to like NetFit (http://www.netfit.co.uk/index.htm) but intrusive ads and videos have made us change our view. The Fit Map (http://www.thefitmap.co.uk) is a good alternative, with some ads admittedly, as it has exercises, advice and details of fitness clubs around the country. In addition, go to the WeightLossResources exercise pages (http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise.htm).
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