News
World Heart Day activation at Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre
Sep 09, 2021
Know your risk of heart disease and don’t ignore symptoms. That’s the message from Joondalup Health Campus Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse Gabrielle Plimmer in the lead-up to World Heart Day on September 29.
Joondalup Health Campus staff are raising awareness about heart health with an activation at Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre on World Heart Day.
Staff will be meeting with members of the community to discuss heart health, cardiovascular risk factors, warning signs and when to see a GP. A Heart Foundation representative will also assist people in working out their healthy heart age from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
“Heart disease affects more than four million Australians,” Ms Plimmer said.1
“It causes one in four deaths and kills around 40 per cent more males than females.
“Fortunately, due to research into risk factors, medications and interventions, deaths from heart disease have been declining.
“It is really important to know your risk and the symptoms of heart disease and to see a GP, even if it seems minor.”
The aim of World Heart Day is to raise awareness and highlight the importance of controlling and knowing your risk factors, as at least 80 per cent of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke can be avoided.”
There are risk factors associated to heart disease and stroke that can be modified with treatment and a heart health check with your GP is encouraged. These risk factors include:
-
Smoking – increases the stiffness of the blood vessels, making it harder for them to expand and contract as needed.
-
An unhealthy diet – the inadequate consumption of fruit and vegetables increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Salt consumption is an important determinant of cardiovascular risk. The high consumption of saturated fat and trans-fats linked to heart disease.
-
High cholesterol – excess cholesterol causes arteries to narrow or block leading to heart and other diseases.
-
High Blood pressure – can damage arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart and leads to heart disease.
-
Diabetes - increases the risk of high blood pressure, narrowing of the arteries, heart disease and stroke.
- Physical inactivity – can lead to fatty material building up in the arteries. If the arteries that carry blood to the heart get damaged and/or clogged, it can lead to a heart attack.
Ms Plimmer said through the World Heart Day campaign, the World Heart Federation hopes to encourage people to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle.
1 www.heartfoundation.org.au/activities-finding-or-opinion/key-stats-cardiovascular-disease