‘Heart disease is Australia’s leading single cause of death, with 18,590 deaths attributed to heart disease within Australia in 2017. Heart disease kills one Australian every 28 minutes’ –
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018
Heart Research Month raises awareness of the impact heart disease has on families, friends and communities. Heart Research Australia supports life-saving heart research in order to find new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating heart disease.
What is heart disease?
According to Heart Research Australia, heart disease is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect your heart which may include:
- Coronary Heart Disease;
- Heart Attack;
- Heart Failure;
- Stroke;
- Arrythmias (abnormal heart beats);
- Aneurysm (a bulge, caused by weakening of the heart muscle or artery);
- Septal Defect (an abnormal opening between the left and right sides of the heart);
- Peripheral Vascular Disease;
- Congenital Heart Disease (malformations in the heart or blood vessels that occur before birth);
What are the risk factors of heart disease?
- Smoking;
- Stress;
- Anger;
- Depression;
- High cholesterol;
- High blood pressure;
- Being inactive;
- Diabetes;
- Being overweight;
- An unhealthy diet;
- Increase in age;
- Being male;
- Ethnic background;
- Family history;
How can you prevent your chances of heart disease?
‘Prevention is the best medicine. 8 in 10 cases of premature heart disease & stroke are preventable through healthy lifestyle factors’ – Cardiologist, Dr Edward Barin.
- Exercise (aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day);
- Eat well;
- Keep track of your health measurements – including cholesterol levels, blood pressure, weight, sugar levels, waist circumference and exercise capacity);
- Stay optimistic – many studies show a state of mind can protect, as well as damage heart health;
If you are concerned about your heart health, visit your GP or book an appointment with Geelong Medical and Health Group – https://www.geelongmedicalgroup.com.au/
If you would like to donate to Heart Research Australia, click the following link – https://www.heartresearch.com.au/