Paramedics lead the way for heart health

HEART Week was last week, but Ambulance Victoria paramedics are calling on the community to be conscious of their heart health every week.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. More than 40,000 Australians die from cardiovascular disease each year, with nearly 600,000 hospitalised for it.

AV Acting Mildura Senior Team Manager Bronwyn Lambert said Heart Week was a good reminder to all Victorians to put their health first, and make time for a Heart Health Check.

“Heart Health Checks identify an individual’s risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke in the next five years, so you have the chance to make lifestyle changes,” Ms Lambert said.

“Many heart attacks and strokes can be prevented through healthy behaviours like eating a heart healthy diet, being active, maintaining a healthy weight and being smoke free.

“Our paramedics give out this advice every day and it’s important we follow it as well.”

The Heart Foundation’s Heart Week is Australia’s national heart health awareness period and provides an opportunity for the Australian public and health professionals to start a conversation about heart health and take positive steps to reduce their heart disease risk.

Heart Foundation Healthcare Programs Manager Natalie Raffoul said it was important to have regular Heart Health Checks from the age of 45 years.

“Your risk of developing heart disease is influenced by more than just the commonly-known lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet – risk is also strongly influenced by your family history, cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes status,” Ms Raffoul said.

“GPs have the tools, and the Heart Health Check is working when people use it.

“Almost 630,000 Australians have had a Heart Health Check with their GP since the Medicare items were introduced in 2019.”

Heart Health Checks take just minutes, with results available immediately.

For more information, head to heartfoundation.org.au.