Cardiac Rehabilitation at UHCW NHS Trust

With the current hot temps please ensure that you stay hydrated and safe.

AS we head into the summer months and potentially hotter, we come towards the end of Skin Cancer Awareness month. It is a good time for us all to be aware of key prevention tips:

Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm and never burn

Use sunscreen - a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB and at least 4 star UVA protection.

Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses

Following our post yesterday and staying on the subject of Dementia Action Week.

1 in 11 of people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK. That's 944,000 people and the number of people with dementia is increasing because people are living longer. It is estimated that by 2030, the number of people with dementia in the UK will be more than 1 million.

Here is a link the the Alzheimer's Society website where you can find lots of useful information about living with dementia.

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/living-with-dementia

Living with dementia Advice to help people with dementia stay independent and continue to do things that are important to them. Includes information on memory aids, keeping physically and mentally healthy and assistive technology.

The 18th - 24th May is Dementia Action week led by the Alzheimer's Society. Knowing more and understanding how to support makes a big difference.

The NHS website www.nhs.uk informs us

Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. There are many different causes of dementia, and many different types.

Dementia symptoms may include problems with:

- memory loss
- thinking speed
- mental sharpness and quickness
- language, such as using words incorrectly, or trouble speaking
- understanding
- judgement
- mood
- movement
- difficulties doing daily activities

People with dementia can lose interest in their usual activities, and may have problems managing their behaviour or emotions.

They may also find social situations difficult and lose interest in relationships and socialising.

Aspects of their personality may change, and they may lose empathy (understanding and compassion).

A person with dementia may see or hear things that other people do not (hallucinations and hearing voices).

Because people with dementia may lose the ability to remember events, or not fully understand their environment or situations, it can seem as if they're not telling the truth or are wilfully ignoring problems.

As dementia affects a person's mental abilities, they may find planning and organising difficult. Maintaining their independence may also become a problem.

A person with dementia will usually need help from friends or relatives, including help with making decisions.

The symptoms of dementia usually become worse over time. In the late stage of dementia, people will not be able to take care of themselves and may lose their ability to communicate.

Although there is no cure for dementia at the moment, an early diagnosis means its progress can be slowed down in some cases, so the person may be able to maintain their mental function for longer.

A diagnosis helps people with dementia get the right treatment and support. It can also help them, and the people close to them, to prepare for the future.

With treatment and support, many people are able to lead active, fulfilled lives with dementia.

Read more about how dementia is diagnosed.

NHS website for England Find information and services to help you manage your health.

Our dietetics team have been focusing on salt this month. Here are some important facts.

Eating too much salt can case high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
It's easy to have too much salt (or sodium). Around three quarters of the salt we eat comes from packaged and everyday foods we buy, such as bread, breakfast cereals, meat products and ready meals.

It can also be found in takeaways, restaurant or café meals and fast-food outlets.

Adults should have no more than 6g of salt (around one level teaspoon) tis includes salt already in your food and salt added during cooking or after.

Here is a link to the NHS website for tips on how to reduce your salt intake.

Salt in your diet Most people in the UK eat too much salt. Find out about your recommended maximum daily salt intake, and how to cut down.

Today is baking day.

Although we should all watch what we eat, it doesn't mean we can't enjoy a little bit of cake. Just regulate how often and look for the healthier options.

Here is a link to our colleagues at British Heart Foundation and 10 healthy café-style cakes and desserts to make at home.

10 healthy café-style cakes and desserts to make at home If you're missing restaurant desserts or café treats, recreate the experience at home with these heart healthy recipes.

You may have heard of parkrun which you have been able to walk, but did you know there is now also a parkwalk. You can find these all around Coventry and Warwickshire.

Here is a link to there official website where you can find more information.

parkwalk | parkrun UK