The region has the second-highest rate of heart disease in the country, with cardiovascular disease diagnosed in 32 per cent of people. 

The awareness and fundraising project is an initiative of Heart Research Australia, which is looking to reduce the effects of the nation’s biggest killer. 

One Ballarat business taking part is the Body and Soul gym, which will fundraise with members and is encouraging people to keep an eye on their heart health. 

Gym trainer Ange Simpson said RedFeb would get people thinking about their heart health. 

“This is about creating awareness of heart attacks and why they happen, as well as the fundraising,” she said. 

“People can set goals or give something up, and then donate when they don’t get to that goal, for example.” 

The Ballarat region has the highest level of inactivity in Australia, with 85.3 per cent of residents not exercising enough, according to the Heart Foundation. 

Ms Simpson suggested a goal of 20 minutes of exercise a day for those getting started, and then to use it as a fundraising measure within a family or work for RedFeb. 

“I’m not saying it’s good if they don’t reach a goal, because they can donate in other ways, but it would help the effort to miss a day or two,” she said. 

Giving something up is also part of the fundraising, with Everyday Hero pages available for people pledging. 

Heart Research Australia is running several fundraising options, including a relay people can contribute to with money or kilometres.

The goal is to get the 20,000 kilometres needed to get around Australia. 

Ms Simpson said the gym would be focusing on even its fittest members for the charity by getting people to try to  stay at their maximum heart rate for one minute while exercising. 

alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au