Study reveals what makes our hearts beat faster in run up to Valentine's Day

14th February 2015

Texts, meeting the parents and scoring goals! Study reveals what makes our hearts beat faster in run up to Valentine's Day.

· More than half of Brits said that receiving a compliment and having a first kiss made them feel excited
· But 50% of male respondents said they felt more excitement when their football team scored a goal
· A fifth admitted that their heart beat faster on Valentine's Day

With only days left until Valentine’s Day, new research by the UK’s largest independent pharmacy chain, Well - the new name for the Co-operative Pharmacy - has revealed what makes our hearts beat.
The study found that receiving a compliment – either by text message or in person – triggered the most excitement for more than half of women (54%).

However, almost half of all men (47%) said that seeing their team score a goal pushed their buttons more than a first kiss, hug or a date.

Valentine’s Day itself also actually causes more anxiety rather than excitement, with over a third of men (34%) saying the felt very nervous about asking someone on a Valentine’s Day date.

The research also revealed that getting ready for a date filled more than two thirds of women (34%) with anticipation and one in four respondents admitted that their heart beated faster when thinking about their Valentine or plans for the day of romance.

The study was commissioned by Well – the new name for the Co-operative Pharmacy – to raise awareness of the importance of keeping an eye on your blood pressure, as a consistently high heart rate can lead to high blood pressure. With As many as seven million people in the UK are living with the condition, without knowing they are at risk as there are usually no visible symptoms.

So, from February, all 780 Well and Co-operative Pharmacy branches nationwide will be offering free blood pressure checks, to help customers understand if their blood pressure is healthy.

Janice Perkins, Pharmacy Superintendent, said: "Valentine’s Day makes people feel a variety of different emotions. Anxiety, excitement and anticipation can all result in fluctuations in your heart rate, which is perfectly normal. However, a consistently high heart rate can lead to high blood pressure, so it’s important to check your blood pressure regularly and enjoy a healthy lifestyle to keep your heart in good shape

"High blood pressure is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease which is why we are urging people to pop into their local pharmacy for a free check up in the privacy of our consultation rooms."

Lifestyle can affect blood pressure - people who are overweight, have a diet with high salt content diet, eat little fruit and vegetables, take little exercise, drink too much alcohol and caffeine or smoke are more likely to have high blood pressure.

With no appointment necessary, the free blood pressure check will be undertaken in the privacy of a consultation room where a member of the pharmacy team will be on hand to offer expert healthcare advice on how to manage blood pressure and help keep your heart healthy.

Well is the new name for the Co-operative Pharmacy, which was re-launched by new owners Bestway Group, following a £620million acquisition – marking the start of a £200million investment programme that will drive growth and create 100s of jobs across the UK.


· To find your local Well or to find out more about thepersonalised healthcare and wellbeing that Well provides to the local community, visit www.pharmacy.co.uk