Heart disease touches us all.

If you make the wrong lifestyle choices now, they are more likely to become a habit that you take into adult life with you.

When you are grown up, not being physically active enough, smoking, and becoming overweight through making poor diet choices, increase the chance of getting heart disease – and heart disease is still the biggest killer in the UK.

The arteries that feed our heart with blood can clog up with fatty deposits, which is more likely to happen if we do don’t look after ourselves and take care of our heart health.

A heart attack is more likely to happen if these coronary arteries are furred up. A heart attack stops the blood from getting to a piece of the heart. Heart attacks can be fatal.

Heart healthy tips

Don’t start smoking – you’ll regret it and it can damage your heart and lungs.

Try and be more physically active.

Eat five portions of fruit and veg a day.

Try to see foods that are high in salt, fat or sugar as treats, not something to eat every day.

Tips to get active

Everyone under 18 needs to be active for at least 60 minutes a day, as this helps keep your heart healthy.

Being active can also help to make you feel better about the way you look, and can help if you feel a bit down or anxious.

If 60 minutes seems too much, try breaking it down into chunks. For example, walk fast between lessons for ten minutes, spend another 15 minutes at break time running on the spot, kick a ball around or dance in front of the mirror at home.

Try to add it up to more than 60 minutes every day.

Did you know?

Heart and circulatory disease is the UK’s biggest killer claiming around 200,000 lives each year.

Every six minutes someone dies from a heart attack.

245 best friends die from a heart attack every day.

1 in 145 babies are born with congenital heart disease.

“In April 2008 I was diagnosed with heart failure, which was pretty terrifying – but I’ve had fantastic treatment and now feel fighting fit. That’s why I’m going Red on 26 February to support the British Heart Foundation, the nation’s heart charity. I want to support the BHF so they can continue their marvellous work. They’re doing pioneering research, they provide practical health advice, and they’re there at the end of the phone whenever you panic and need them.” – Jacqueline Wilson

British Heart Foundation Young People’s Events

The BHF have fantastic fundraising events for young people, showing you how keeping fit and healthy is fun. All events raise vital funds for the BHF’s lifesaving work. Plus, schools or groups who take part keep 20% of the proceeds.

Ultimate Dodgeball

A great way for kids of all ages and abilities to get active. Just choose your teams, create their identities, and organise your own fun, fundraising tournament, whenever suits you.

Your school can receive a free Ultimate Dodgeball kit worth £30, which includes an organiser’s guide, teaching resources and three dodgeballs.

Jump Rope For Heart

Our hugely popular all-year skipping event for schools and groups. Children get fit and raise money with a free kit worth more than £100, which includes skipping ropes and a supporting teacher’s pack.

“We will be going red on 26 February and we hope our fans will join us and be a part of Red for Heart and support the nation’s heart charity.” – McFly