In February our health promotion efforts will be directed to your heart and your brain, in particular preventing heart attacks and strokes. We combine these together under the term "cardiovascular disease".
A heart attack occurs when the blood vessels to the heart become blocked, usually from a blood clot or a bleed in the wall of an artery that has become damaged by cholesterol. A stroke occurs when the same process occurs but in the blood vessels supplying the brain.
According to Heart Foundation statistics, cardiovascular disease is responsible for 45,000 deaths and 490,000 hospitalisations in Australia each year. People who survive their heart attack or stroke are often left with permanent disability that limits their activity in the rest of their life.
Sadly, many heart attacks and strokes are preventable.
The major risks factors for cardiovascular disease are:
- smoking
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- diabetes
- being overweight or obese
- physical inactivity
Once your doctor has this information, we can calculate what your chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years is, and give you advice on how you might reduce this risk.
People aged over 45 are at greater risk, so if you haven't had your blood tested for cholesterol and sugar, and if you haven't had your blood pressure reviewed recently, we strongly recommend you come in to see your regular GP for a check up.
