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RUGBY LEAGUE STAR MARKS FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF HEART ATTACK BY VISITING CHILDRENS’ HEART WARD

Rugby League star Adrian Purtell has marked the first anniversary of his heart attack by meeting children undergoing heart surgery on the children’s ward at Leeds General Infirmary.

Adrian, who suffered a heart attack after Bradford Bulls “Magic Weekend” game against Leeds a year ago, has made a full recovery and is back playing in the Super League.

He’s also become an ambassador for Yorkshire-based national charity Heart Research UK and is keen to pass on advice about people living heart-healthy lifestyles so that they reduce their chances of having heart disease - still one of the UK’s biggest killers with nearly 80,000 deaths a year.

Adrian has had mixed emotions during what has been a momentous year. “I’ve really gone from not knowing whether I was still going to be alive, through to doubts about whether I was going to play again, and finally to being given the all-clear to resume my career. That is certainly an extreme set of emotions.

“In between I had to get myself mentally prepared for either not playing again, or going flat out to get back to full fitness. The support I have had on the way from the fans, players and my family has been tremendous and it was my own drive and determination as well as harnessing that wonderful support that has carried me through.”

The emotions couldn’t have been higher as he stood on the touchline at Odsal Stadium on 17 March waiting to come on as a substitute against Hull Kingston Rovers. He got a standing ovation when he crossed the white line for the first time since his heart attack.

Adrian was unsure how he would fare on his return to action earlier this season. “There was obviously a little bit of doubt about pulling on the jersey again and whether I could handle playing, but I had spent months training really hard so I guessed that the hard work and preparation would see me through – which it did,” he said.

He’s been back in a Bulls shirt since March and recently scored a vital try in the 18-18 draw with arch rivals Leeds Rhinos. He hopes to continue playing and improving and helping the Bulls to success during the rest of the season.

During a visit to Leeds General Infirmary, Adrian met one of the cardiologists – Dr John Greenwood – who treated him last year, as well as visiting the children’s heart unit. “Seeing children and babies in hospital brings it home how grateful I am to be so healthy again,” said Adrian. “These youngsters and their families have been through a lot and are an inspiration to us all.”

Barbara Harpham, national director of Heart Research UK said: “Having a heart attack doesn’t have to be the end of the world as you know it - it can be the thing that makes you live a healthier lifestyle and get back on your feet to be as good as you were before or better.

“Adrian is a wonderful role model for us all. Even though he is a top sportsman, he has made changes to his lifestyle to keep his heart healthy and that is a lesson for us all. We are delighted that he is a Heart Research UK ambassador for healthy lifestyles and I am sure he will be an inspiration to others.”

BRISTOL ACADEMY FLYERS GET ACTIVE WITH HOOPS 4 HEALTHY HEARTS

Players from the Bristol Academy Flyers basketball team have taken part in a celebration tournament to showcase and reward participants for their hard work in learning the importance of an active, healthy heart lifestyle.

The ‘Hoops 4 Healthy Hearts’ programme is being run by the Bristol Academy Flyers, thanks to a £9,200 Healthy Heart Grant from national charity Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® stores.

The tournament was a great opportunity for the children from across Bristol to come together and enjoy an active lifestyle. They were able to show their families their new skills and how much they have learned from the sessions. There was great excitement all round as representatives from each school took part, getting their hearts beating faster to try and win the mini games.

The programme has been a huge success, with over 1,200 Young People in Bristol taking part. The celebration tournament was a fantastic opportunity for the programme to showcase their success.

The Hoops 4 Healthy Hearts project aimed to improve the Heart Health of Year five and six pupils by helping them to gain the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour that lead to healthy lifestyle choices. The project has received great feedback from both the children and teachers, with interest in taking up basketball in Bristol, dramatically increasing.

Doug McLaughlin-Williams, Bristol Academy Flyers Player, says: “I'd like to thank everyone who helped make the ‘Hoops 4 Healthy Hearts’ project so successful. Firstly, Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® for supplying us with everything we needed to deliver the health education segments as well the practical basketball sessions. I would also like to thank all of the schools and staff in the North Bristol area who took part in this outstanding programme. And last but not least, the pupils who were willing to try new things, and learned a tremendous amount as a result.

“I'm proud to say I am a part of this, and hope to continue making a positive impact on the future stars of greater Bristol.”

Danny James, Head of Community Development at Bristol Academy Flyers, says: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® stores to deliver this practical and creative Healthy Heart project. Our aim is to engage pupils with lifestyle messages they will never forget, and with the help of professional basketball players, it is proving to be a great success. We would once again like to thank Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® stores for this wonderful opportunity.”

Barbara Harpham, National Director at Heart Research UK, says: “It’s great to see local role models getting involved in helping to spread the Healthy Heart message to the community. It is helping the children to learn about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and projects like this are a great way of focusing on heart health in a fun and interactive way.”

Manaaz Akhtar, Head of Marketing for the SUBWAY® brand in the UK and Ireland, says: “The SUBWAY® brand is delighted that through the partnership with Heart Research UK, the HRUK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant programme is available. SUBWAY® stores in HTV have enjoyed fundraising, and it’s great to see initiatives such as this come to fruition as a result of the money generously donated by our customers in store.”

Healthy Tip: Get your running shoes on

Spring always sees more runners and joggers treading tarmac, could this be the year you’re inspired to join them and get those legs of yours on the road to fitness and heart health? Maybe you were a runner once or maybe you’ve always thought about trying your ‘feet’ at running? Running and jogging provide a great cardiovascular workout, helping you to build fitness, burn calories, shed that spare tyre and boost your mood. It will also help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels healthy and reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. What’s more, it’s an activity that will easily fit into your busy day and you don’t have to run a marathon to get the benefits. The key is to start small with a gentle jog and pick up the pace and distance gradually.

Running time and place

• Think about where you would like to run, maybe a small circuit around your local park, a nice jog along a nearby canal or river or around your neighbourhood. If your gym session includes the treadmill then use it to train so you can run longer and further rather than just warming up.

• Think about when to best fit a run in your day: early morning, lunchtimes, once home from work or later in the evening are all options so find what works best for you.

Pace yourself

• Start with a walk round the block, running for small sections at a time and walking in between – you could use lamp posts as a guide.

• Once you’ve mastered a small loop, you can try doing it twice or adding sections: 100 yards, will soon become a kilometre, then a mile. Try using a phone app to log your progress.

Running style

• You don’t need to invest in fancy running gear, just wear what you’re most comfortable in and get a good pair of running shoes that give you support.

• A hand held water bottle will help you keep hydrated, especially when the weather’s warm and you get up a sweat.

Support

• Run with friends to encourage and motivate each another or join a local running club;

• Earphones with a good tempo can help you run faster and longer but keep fully aware of traffic;

• Check out the NHS website and their ‘Couch to 5K’ programme with lots of tips and encouragement to get you running a 5K in nine weeks.

Aim high

• Use a race as a goal: Heart Research UK has a series of Family 5Ks in cities across the country so you can run or jog with a pram, chase your young ones on their bikes (if they won’t run) or beat your personal best.

Bring out the runner in you, clock up those miles slowly but surely and jog your way on the road to heart health.

Healthy Tip: Some Mediterranean sunshine in your diet

We may not have the weather to match, but May is International Mediterranean Diet Month and a great opportunity to put some heart-healthy ‘sunshine’ into your diet. Recent findings from the Spanish Predimed study have added yet more evidence of the general and heart health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, especially when supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts. What’s more, unlike many diets, the Mediterranean one is easier to stick to as it’s very tasty and satisfying.

The traditional Mediterranean diet is based on an abundance of fruits and vegetables, wholegrain cereals, legumes, fish and nuts. Dairy products are eaten in moderation and red meat and meat products only occasionally. This diet provides high levels of mono-unsaturated and omega 3 fats, antioxidants, fibre and other nutrients and is linked to healthier cholesterol levels and a lower risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers.

This May, give your whole family a Mediterranean flavour on their plates:

Use extra-virgin olive oil for dressing salads and gentle frying or roasting those peppers, aubergines, courgettes, onions, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Eat more colourful and varied salads – try different combinations of lettuces (gem, lollo rosso etc.) chicory, spinach, rocket, vine-grown tomatoes, beetroot, beans (kidney, green, black-eyed), chickpeas and avocados. Add a crunchy topping of nuts and dried fruit. You can also use couscous, bulgur wheat, brown rice or pasta as a base for a salad.
Get fishy – oily fish and shellfish are a great source of heart-healthy omega-3 fats as well as protein, vitamins and minerals. Grilled sardines, tinned salmon sandwiches, a seafood risotto, BBQ’d tuna steaks, smoked mackerel salad – there are plenty of mouth-watering ways to add a Mediterranean touch to your lunches and evening meals.
Cut back on red meat, choosing chicken, fish, pulses, eggs, yoghurt and small amounts of cheese for your dishes instead.
Go nuts - make walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashew, pistachio and other unsalted nuts your new snack and sprinkle them on your breakfast cereal or yoghurt, not just your salads.
Drink plenty of water. Wine does feature in the Mediterranean diet but in moderation; it’s high in calories and men should not regularly exceed 3-4 units a day (large glass of wine) and for women it’s 2-3 units (a medium glass of wine). Red wine is a good source of antioxidants, but then so is 100% grape juice.

Get on the road to heart health by going the Mediterranean way, this month and beyond. Get your taste buds tingling for the taste of Mediterranean recipes to help add years to your life and life to your years.

Cambridge puts its hearts into Healthy Heart Theatre

Young adults across Cambridge have taken part in their first public theatre performance, bringing together all their learning around heart health and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

This Healthy Heart project, ‘Dear Heart’, is being run by LaNYT Theatre in Cambridge, thanks to a Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant of £10,000.

In the first series, fifteen young adults have taken part in the ‘Dear Heart’ project - participating in creative activities that focus on heart health and positive lifestyle changes, helping the young adults, aged 18-30, to reduce their risk of heart disease.

The ‘Dear Heart’ workshops have engaged with a diverse range of individuals, including those from marginalised backgrounds, by providing them with a supportive and inspiring environment. They have also had the opportunity to become more physically active and raise their heart rates through theatre games, improvisation exercises, dancing, and movement-based theatre.

The LaNYT Theatre artists have been able to stimulate and engage the interest of the young adults with performing-arts based workshops, in consultation with a cardiac advisor from the University of Cambridge who gave advice and information on heart health and lifestyle for the developments of workshop activities and performance.

To book your place for the new series of workshops in July or for more information, please email info@lanyttheatre.org or call 07507 787639.

Ging Sinswat, Artistic Director of LaNYT Theatre, says: “We are delighted to have received a HRUK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant to fund this exciting new project. At LaNYT, we are passionate about engaging community through performing arts. The development of the ‘Dear Heart’ Youth Theatre Project is based on our belief that as young adults start independent life on their own, it is crucial that they are well informed about how to look after their hearts and personal health. This project is a fun and creative way of empowering young adults in Cambridge and encouraging them to lead a healthy heart lifestyle.”

Barbara Harpham, National Director at Heart Research UK, says: “Theatre is a fantastic medium for promoting the Healthy Heart message and engaging with young adults and wider audiences. The ‘Dear Heart’ project will put young adults in Cambridge on the road to heart health so they lead healthier, happier, longer lives.”

Manaaz Akhtar, Head of Marketing for the SUBWAY® brand in the UK and Ireland, says: “The SUBWAY® brand is delighted that through the partnership with Heart Research UK, the HRUK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant programme is available. SUBWAY® stores in the Anglia region have enjoyed fundraising, and it’s great to see initiatives such as this come to fruition as a result of the money generously donated by our customers in store.”