Making healthy lifestyle choices
Local services
Live Well Dorset is a free health and wellbeing service funded by Dorset and BCP councils. Its purpose is to support people to make and sustain healthy lifestyle choices and behaviours. They offer and range of different support for including helping people to:
- move more
- stop smoking
- drink less
- manage weight
To find out more click the link below for their website. You can self-refer via the website or by phone on 0800 840 1628.
LiveWell Dorset | Health & Wellness Coaching | Free Advice & Support · LiveWell Dorset
Help & Care are a Dorset based service focused on providing support to people living with a long-term health condition, carers and those who are isolated or housebound. What makes Help & Care different is their person-centred approach. They provide a range of service to help people manage their health and wellbeing including social prescribing (connecting people with community and social activities to support their health and wellbeing) and health coaching. Referrals can be made via the website below or 0300 111 3303.
Exercise referral schemes
Many council run leisure facilities offer exercise referral schemes for people with various health conditions (including stroke). These schemes offer discounted rates (usually for 12 weeks) for people to use their leisure facilities to increase physical activity. Referrals need to come via a health professional (you can talk to a member of our stroke team about this if you would be interested in being referred).
Links to local exercise referral schemes
BH Live (centres: Littledown, Pelhams, Sir David English, Stokewood, Queen’s Park, Corfe Mullen) Guidance for Healthcare Professionals | BH Live Active
Everyone Active (Rossmore leisure centre, Ashdown leisure centre, Poole Dolphin leisure centre, Blandford, Weymouth) Download referral form
The Junction Sports and Leisure centre, Broadstone The Junction - Exercise referral leaflet
Download the exercise referral form.
Active for Health Lifestyle Hub (The Hub at Verwood, Two Rivers Meet leisure centre in Christchurch, QE leisure centre in Wimborne, Ferndown Leisure centre, Purbeck leisure centre) please click here to download the referral form.
Freedom Leisure - covering Ringwood Health and Leisure, New Milton Health and Leisure, Lymington Health and Leisure, and Totton Health and Leisure.
Finding local activities
Active Dorset's website has an Activity Finder to help you browse and view activities and events near you, many of which are free. You can access their activity finder here: Activity Finder | Active Dorset
Online exercise plans
Created by the Stroke Association in partnership with the charity A Stroke of Luck. The programme focused on three different mobility groups, Red, Amber and Green. Online stroke fitness classes
Useful apps
NHS Food Scanner app
Start finding healthier swaps today!
NHS Weight Loss Plan app
A 12-week plan to help you lose weight.
NHS Couch to 5K app
A running app for absolute beginners.
NHS Active 10 app
Track and build up your daily walks – start with 10 minutes every day!
NHS Drink Free Days app
For the days you do not want to drink alcohol.
NHS Quit Smoking app
Daily support to help you quit smoking and start breathing easier.
Useful information and tools
This NHS information outlines key information about understanding calories and losing weight.
NHS choices - Managing your weight - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Quit smoking - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
This online calculator helps you to understand alcohol units and calories per drink
Blood pressure management
What is blood pressure?
- Blood pressure is the pressure of circulating blood against artery walls as it is pumped around the body
- Measurements of BP are normally given as two reading e.g. 120/80
- (1st number) Systolic pressure = when your heart contracts/beats
- (2nd number) Diastolic pressure = when your heart relaxes between beat
- Blood pressure goes up and down throughout a typical day, depending on what you are doing
- Blood pressure is high when either the top figure/bottom figure or both are above a certain level
- High blood pressure can be a 'silent' health problem as it often doesn't make you feel different, but it can lead to many health problems if left unmanaged.
Why is Blood pressure important after stroke?
- High blood pressure (hypertension) is the most common causal risk factor for stroke.
- Research has shown that as your blood pressure rises, risk of further stroke rises.
- However - the reverse is also true. If we reduce your blood pressure, we reduce your risk of future stroke.
- Research found that a 10 point drop in your systolic blood pressure (top reading) can reduce risk of stroke by nearly 30%.
Does taking Home Blood Pressure Readings help?
Research has found that home testing helps as it:
- is more reflective of blood pressure without impact of clinical environment
- builds confidence and improves understanding
- more cost effective use of NHS services
- reduces incidence of heart attack and stroke
But, it doesn't suit everyone.
Please see this guide which outlines how to take home Blood Pressure readings:
- Guidance on how to take a blood pressure reading a home
- British Hypertension Society website: Manage your blood pressure at home - BHF
How can I control my blood pressure?
Blood pressure can be managed with medications, lifestyle changes and a combination of both.
This guide is for people with high blood pressure and outsides some considerations when thinking about management options:
Stroke research
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