St Mary Cray Practice

25/04/2026

I hope everyone is enjoying the sun ☀️ and spending time in nature with loved ones!

23/04/2026

If you take iron supplements, here are 9 facts about anaemia/iron tablets

22/04/2026

pMDIs:
These inhalers release potent greenhouse gases, primarily hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs), which are thousands of times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. They account for approximately 3% of the NHS’s total carbon emissions.

Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs):
In contrast, DPIs do not use propellants and can reduce carbon emissions by up to 95%. This makes them a more environmentally friendly option

Please do not stop using your inhalers, see your healthcare professional- GP/Practice nurse/Pharmacist to discuss whether switching is clinically suitable for you.

Return used inhalers back to the pharmacy for proper disposal. Do not put them in the bin, they will continue to harm the environment if they end up in landfill.

♥️

20/04/2026

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is in the new GP contract (2026-2027)

This post explains the importance of being on these medications

For information only. Treatment is usually tailored to the individual patient based on other medical history and adverse effects.

These medications will not be suitable for all patients.

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063

18/04/2026

Increased use of sauna bathing is associated with a reduced risk of sudden cardiac death, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and all-cause mortality.
(This study was done in men only)

Further good quality studies are warranted to establish the potential mechanism that links sauna bathing and cardiovascular health.

There are concerns about how sauna may affect male fertility, studies have demonstrated reduced s***m count and concentration, however these were short term and reversed at 6 months.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25705824/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23411620/

17/04/2026

Reminder (to myself first!) to keep moving.
A desk job may mean sitting for hours in a day and exercising at the end of the day will not undo the damage of prolonged sitting.

Stay hydrated. Break up sitting by either squatting every 45 minutes or walking around, stretching and try calf raises whilst sitting. Prolonged standing is also not recommended as this can affect your circulation in the lower legs - keep moving!

13/04/2026

09/04/2026

Clinicians don’t forget patient friendly notes! 😊

06/04/2026

Based on an analysis by the university of Sydney of 53,242 participants with an average age of 63, the data showed that adding 11 more minutes of sleep, an extra 4.5 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and an additional quarter cup of vegetables each day was associated with a 10 percent reduction over eight years in the risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, stroke and heart failure.

Combining small changes in a few areas of our lives can have a large positive impact on our cardiovascular health.

The optimal combination of behaviors was:
8-9 hours of sleep a night
42 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day
and a modest diet quality score.

That combination was linked to a 57 percent reduction in major cardiovascular events over the eight years of patient follow-up, compared to the least optimal health profile in the study.

🏃🏽‍♀️Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is a brisk walk, going up a flight of stairs, or carrying the shopping.

🥦Diet quality was ranked based on a higher intake of fruit, vegetables, fish, and whole grains, and lower amounts of processed meats and sugary beverages.

The researchers charted lifestyle differences in sleep, physical activity, and nutrition (SPAN) against the risk of major cardiovascular events. (Koemel et al., Eur. J. Prev. Cardiol., 2026)

05/04/2026

Health benefits of being outside:
- better immune function
- reduced stress
- better sleep quality
- improves heart health
- supports mental health
- stimulates physical activity

https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/7-health-benefits-spending-time-nature

02/04/2026

Hope everyone enjoys the long bank holiday weekend!

Of course I relax! Everything in moderation.
Relaxing, stress management, quality time with loved ones and adequate sleep is an important part of lifestyle medicine