WHEN the Heart Foundation of Victoria offered me a heart health check, it threw up a medical issue I didn’t expect. And that’s exactly why these tests are so important. You might think you’re fine, but your body might be telling a different story.
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On Sunday morning, I lined up at the Heart Foundation’s mobile clinic at the Ballarat Showgrounds alongside mayor John Philips, deputy mayor Peter Innes and their wives.
Jokes about who was the most heartless aside (apparently I win because I’m a journalist), we all ventured in for our check with a Ballarat Community Health nurse.
I easily passed the first question: what’s your age?
But I fell a bit at the second. How many serves of fruit and vegetables do you eat a day? I love my vegies but my fruit bowl is usually as empty as Gabi Grecko’s head.
My nurse Michelle and I decided it was because I have a savoury, not a sweet, tooth, but I agreed to compromise and force down a banana a day.
I breezed through the “do you smoke” question and my cholesterol was in better condition than David Beckham’s abs. But a chronic back condition meant I struggled with the expected daily physical exercise quota.
After a lecture from Michelle, I also agreed to drag the exercise bike out of storage and to use it – not just dust it every now and again and tell myself I work out.
But the real issue – and the one I least expected – was wrapping itself around me during the whole check.My blood pressure was too high. And when you come from a family of women who traditionally have their blood pressure in their boots, it was a bit of a shock.
A second test showed the same result. I felt a bit like a kettle about to boil.
My daughter has a condition that requires her to monitor her blood pressure regularly, so I’ve used her little machine to keep a check on mine and, while it has dropped a bit since, it’s still not enough.
So it’s off to the GP for me, especially because high blood pressure is closely related to both strokes and heart failure.
For me, the heart health check was the reality check I needed to improve my health. This Heart Health Week, have yours, too.
The mobile clinic can be found at Stockland Shopping Centre, between 10am and 4pm on Wed-
nesday, Bridge Mall, between 10am and 4pm on Thursday and Friday, and the City Oval on Saturday.
Ballarat’s big on obesity
BALLARAT ranks ninth in Australia for two combined health statistics – obesity and lack of physical exercise.
So this Heart Health Week, Ballarat Health Services head of cardiology Ernesto Oqueli wants everyone to be more health conscious.
“It’s not just about prolonging life but improving the quality of life,” Professor Oqueli said.
“If you are obese, you are overloading your heart, increasing your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure and putting pressure on your hips and knees.”
Professor Oqueli said there were several ways people could reduce their weight and increase their exercise to help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
He recommended walking at least 30 minutes, or three kilometres, daily.
“That’s number one. Number two, look at what you eat. Reduce saturated fats, eat more vegetables, fruit and even nuts.
“Decrease meat and full-fat dairy products and reduce salt.”
Professor Oqueli also warned residents to look at the amount of salt in processed foods.
He added it was important to quit smoking, which can lead to vascular disease, high cholesterol and has been linked to 15 types of cancer.
“High blood pressure is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is related to stroke and heart failure.”
Heart Foundation national chief executive officer Mary Barry said the new statistics on Australia’s obesity and physical activity levels were not pretty.
“Far from being the fit and active outdoors type often portrayed, this data shows us that nearly one-third of Australians are obese and more than half are living sedentary lifestyles with little or no physical activity in their day,” Ms Barry said.
“The truth is, as a nation, our waistlines are increasing while our physical activity time is decreasing.
“We are creating bodies that are breeding grounds for heart disease.”
Another Victorian town to feature in the top 10 worst for obesity and physical exercise is Shepparton at number three. The data shows that 36 per cent of Shepparton residents are obese.
The Heart Foundation is also calling on the federal government to implement a national physical activity action plan.
“We believe having a nationally supported and funded plan will help communities and government to create environments that encourage regular activity,” it said.
fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au