Healthy heart, healthy life:

By Registered Nurse Alison Fawcett, of Parkes Street General Practice

In Australia, 64% of adults have three or more modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Only 7% of the population aged
45-74 years attending GPs has had a healthy heart risk assessment.

This is important as ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for 10.8% of all deaths.

We want to focus on your heart health to prevent cardiovascular disease. The leading cause of cardiovascular disease is a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries.

The Covid pandemic has greatly impacted our lifestyles. Many people are now working from home. Keeping your heart healthy can be incorporated into your daily routine and so reduce the risk of heart disease.

Modifications include not smoking, making healthier food choices, a low salt intake, regular physical activity, keeping your weight and waist size down, drinking alcohol in moderation. Your blood pressure and cholesterol level are also important.

Although minor blockages of arteries may not cause any symptoms, if the blockage worsens, you may experience symptoms like chest pain or shortness
of breath.

Our daily activities and lifestyle can have a long-term impact upon our heart function. Small changes can have a cumulative and beneficial effect. If you currently walk once a week, to increase that to twice a week is a 100% improvement!

The starting point is to find out how your heart is at present. Parkes Street General Practice invites all local adults to take part in a healthy heart check.

After having a risk assessment, dependent upon your risk, we will support you to reduce this, arrange blood tests, including a cholesterol level, and provide healthy heart dietary advice. If you need medication, our clinical pharmacist will work with you to reduce cardiovascular risk.