SQUEEZING in a quick heart health check between civic duties still allowed Ballarat mayor Des Hudson enough time to grab a quick cup of coffee on Monday morning.
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Cr Hudson said the short assessment was so important – he knows his city has the state’s second-highest rate of cardiovascular disease. He wants to lead by example in changing this.
The mayor is proudly happy to share his results: good blood pressure, 114/82; and both good and bad cholesterol readings in the healthy range. Cr Hudson’s has a two per cent chance of developing cardiovascular disease.
Cr Hudson publicly joined the Heart Foundation campaign as part of his ongoing health blog featuring his gradual lifestyle change and exercise commitments.
“Even starting with small incremental exercise in a busy schedule can make a world of difference,” Cr Hudson said. “I’ve had a couple of challenges in my diary the past month. I’m still trying to walk the lake or my home block every day but it has got harder now it’s darker...it’s about making time and commitment.”
Heart Foundation Victoria, in partnership with Ballarat Community Health, are offering free 15-minute heart health checks in the Bridge Mall and around the region all week. Participants receive information, advice and suggestions for areas you may need to discuss with your general practitioner.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diet, lack of exercise and smoking are major risk factors for heart disease.
Heart Foundation Victoria chief executive officer Diana Heggie said Ballarat’s poor heart culture was gradually changing.
“Ballarat’s really started to do something about this. A lot of people are champing at the bit to get exercising more, there is a lot more awareness done in schools, even walk to school groups,” Ms Heggie said. “Screening is important because you can actually do something about changing the outcome. Having a heart event is preventable.”
One in five Australians aged 45 to 75 have a high risk of heart attack or stroke within five years, according to an Australian National University major study released on Monday. Most are not taking the recommended combination of blood pressure and cholesterol medication.
Heartbeat Ballarat duo Christine Tenney and Ray Rowland both wished they had undertaken quick regular assessments – the checks could have sparked lifestyle change to avoid their own heart incidence.
“Maybe because the heart’s on your inside you don’t think about it, you don’t always know what’s wrong,” Mr Rowland said. “You can’t see any issues and you don’t tend to feel any issues until it’s too late.”
Emotional and physical support for heart trauma is available at Heartbeat.Ballarat@gmail.com.