World Heart Day

WORLD Heart Day is an initiative of the World Heart Foundation that aims to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This year it will be held on September 29, and we are encouraged to wear red.

CVD is the leading cause of death world-wide and includes conditions such as stroke, heart failure and heart attack. Indeed, statistics from the ABS tell us that one in 20 Australians will suffer from some form of heart disease, with an Australian having a heart attack or stroke 
every four minutes.

As patron of Heart Support Australia’s South Gippsland branch, this is an issue that is particularly close to my own heart (excuse the pun).

In 2017, at just 43, not overweight, a non-smoker and not a heavy drinker, I had never considered myself a candidate for heart concerns and was caught completely off-guard when I suffered a heart attack while driving home alone from Parliament.

I am forever grateful to organisations such as the World Heart Foundation who work to ensure everyone is aware of the signs of a heart attack. Because of this I was able to recognise the urgent need to get to a hospital and seek the medical care that I needed.

For those who are not aware, the symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, shoulder pain, general discomfort, hot and cold sweats and nausea. The symptoms can be very mild for women so even harder to detect, and it is important to be vigilant.

The power to change these statistics and prevent loss of life lies with each and every one of us. As many as 80 per cent of premature deaths from CVD are preventable by making small changes to our diet and lifestyle.

For information on CDV and its risk factors please visit world-heart-federation.org/what-is-cvd.

Danny O’Brien MP, The Nationals Member for Gippsland South