An avid bunch of walkers put their best foot forward for heart health on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Heart Foundation hosted a community walk at the One Track for All on the northern headland at Ulladulla, led by local walking group Happy Feet.
More than 50 people from various groups, including walkers from Werri Beach, Shellharbour, Nowra, Gerringong, Kiama and Kangaroo Valley, joined their Southern Shoalhaven counterparts in boosting their heart rate during the Heart Foundation's Heart Week event.
Heart Foundation's senior coordinator heart health Illawarra and Shoalhaven region Andy Mark encouraged the public to take advantage of free heart health checks, covered by medicare, to avoid any nasty, and potentially-deadly, surprises.
"Australians aged 45 years and over, and Indigenous Australians from 30 years, can now see their GP for a Medicare-funded heart health check to understand their risk of heart attack and stroke in the next five years," he said.
Nationally, it is estimated Australia's new Heart Health Check could prevent 76,500 heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease over the next five years, avoiding 42 heart events daily.
As part of a check, a doctor will look at the risk factors that increase your likelihood of heart attack and stroke by reviewing your blood pressure, cholesterol, diet and lifestyle, and other factors such as family history.
Depending on your level of risk, your doctor may prescribe medication and recommend lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, being more active and improving your diet.
Visit heartfoundation.org.au/heartweek or call the Heart Foundation Helpline on 13 11 12.