Dr Lachlan Soper on How to Better Your Cardiovascular Health

Having good cardiovascular health is important for anyone to have. Although keeping your heart healthy is so essential to one’s health, many do not take the necessary steps to better their cardiovascular health. Worldwide, heart disease is the number one cause of death but it is, for the most part, preventable. Simple lifestyle changes and risk management could be the only things standing in the way of bettering your cardiovascular health.

Frequent Exercise

One of the best ways to keep your heart healthy is by moving every day. Exercise may not be all that appealing to some, but it’s essential for living a long and healthy life. Your heart is a muscle that needs to be exercised in order to build strength. Try aiming for at least 30 minutes of heart-pumping activity such as brisk walking, bicycling, and swimming. Frequent exercise helps with weight management, reduces stress, improves sleep, and lowers blood pressure which all reduce the risk of hypertension.

Eating Well

There’s a reason why we are told to always eat fruits and vegetables. Eating well can have a huge effect on your cardiovascular health. ​​When meals contain mainly fruits, vegetables, dairy, poultry, fish, and nuts, our bodies will be in much better health. It’s also imperative to avoid or limit the intake of certain foods such as salty and sugary foods and drinks. Eating well can improve your cholesterol, which directly affects your cardiovascular health.

Stop Smoking

Smoking is very bad for your overall health, but especially for your heart. Smoking can cause serious health issues such as heart disease, breathing problems, lung cancer, kidney cancer, and emphysema. Not only is smoking bad for you, but it’s terrible for those around you. If you still smoke, it is essential to talk with your doctor about how to quit smoking. You’ll be bettering your health and the health of others around you by quitting,

Manage Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can cause serious issues such as heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and loss of mental function. By lowering your blood pressure, you are reducing your risk of these. Your resting blood pressure should be around 120/80. By exercising daily, avoiding sugary foods, increasing your daily fruit and vegetable intake, limiting your sodium (salt) intake, and limiting your alcohol intake can all work towards lowering your blood pressure.

ABOUT DR LACHLAN SOPER

Lachlan Soper is a General Practitioner living and working in Mosman, Sydney, Australia. After graduating medical school in 2000 and attaining his FRACGP (Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) in 2006, Lachlan Soper went on to have a career in general practice since 2004.

Outside of his medical career, Lachlan Soper enjoys cycling and is a parent of three beautiful children. Of all the roles and responsibilities he’s taken on, being a father is the most rewarding for Lachlan. He feels honoured and blessed to have the opportunity to share his life through authentic conversations with his children through that very moulding process. Being a parent gives Lachlan a greater appreciation of the general practice from newborns, through their parents, to those in their more senior years.

With over two decades of experience as a doctor, Lachlan Soper is continuously fascinated by medicine and the human body. Lachlan Infuses a bit of his parenting style into his work, by taking the time to listen to his patients so that he can make informed and comprehensive management plans that link to their lifestyle and personal preferences.

On a personal level, Lachlan spent seventeen years leading and directing youth camps during his personal holidays (through organisations such as Crusader Union, CMS, YouthWorks & SUFM). Throughout his career, he has intermittently given talks and seminars in local high schools on various aspects of adolescent health. In his free time, he regularly participates & competes in many sports and games, including cycling, touch football and tennis.