Cardiovascular disease is also the leading cause of death in Australia, killing one Australian nearly every 11 minutes. That's quite a scary statistic. That's more than five Aussies who die during every episode of Packed to the Rafters. In 2008, 34% of deaths in Australia (that's 48,500 people) were due to cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease, or CVD, includes heart, stroke and blood vessel diseases. The heart is basically one giant muscle which is responsible for pumping blood and nutrients all around the body. Both heart and attacks and strokes are basically caused by a blockage in a blood vessel which then prevents the blood from reaching crucial areas. If not treated early enough, these blockages can quickly cause damage and death to cells and can possibly kill you. Blockages can be due to clots or a build-up of fatty deposits, often called plaques.
Despite the scary statistics, it is fortunate that heart disease is largely preventable. Many risk factors for heart disease have been identified. Some, like having a family history of heart disease or increasing age, are non-modifiable (i.e. unable to be changed). The following are the modifiable risk factors that we should all be aware of and work towards changing for a longer and healthier life:
- Smoking
- High blood cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Being physically inactive
- Being overweight
- Depression, isolation and a lack of quality support.
So what can you and your family do to reduce your risk of CVD?
- Avoid smoking - both being a cigarette smoker and inhaling second-hand smoke from people around you increase your risk. So if you're a smoker, it's now time to quit. Even if you've tried to quit before, it often takes people multiple attempts so don't be disheartened. Pop into Terry White Chemists Berwick to speak to our pharmacists about ways to help you. If you're not a smoker, try to avoid people smoking around you, and especially your babies and children.
- Have a healthy diet - this means lots of fruit and vegetables, plenty of water rather than sugary soft drinks or alcohol (it's recommended no more than two standard drinks per day for men and women), avoiding fatty foods, choosing foods containing wholegrains or lean cuts of meat and eating oily fish.
- Exercising - try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. Try and incorporate this into your life so it doesn't feel like such a chore. Try getting off the bus a couple of stops earlier and walk the rest of the way. Perhaps take the stairs instead of the lift. Schedule exercise dates with friends. Even kicking a ball or running around the park with the kids or your dog count.
- Maintain a healthy weight - do this with diet and exercise.
- If you think you may be depressed (signs may include difficulty sleeping, loss of interest in food, sex, exercise or other activities, increased irritability and frustration, or staying home from work or school), speak to your doctor. There are many medical and also non-medical therapies which can help. Check out the Beyond Blue website for more information.
Many Australians take medications which also help reduce your risk of CVD. These may include medications to treat high blood pressure (also called hypertension), to lower cholesterol, to slow down your heart rate or control your heart rhythm or to thin the blood and prevent blood clots. Sometimes people stop taking these medications as they may cause side effects or people may not feel they need them anymore. It is very important to talk to your doctor and pharmacist about any concerns you have as these medications need to be taken long-term to be effective. Many side effects only occur at the start of taking a new medication and others can often be managed with simple measures or by changing the dose or to a different medication. Pharmacists are experts on medication so are a valuable source of advice.
Finally, I just wanted to mention that CVDs are medical emergencies and are often treatable as long as you get medical help as soon as possible. If you suspect you or anyone you know is having a heart attack or stroke, call 000 (or your local emergency number) immediately. Don't wait for it to get worse as it may mean the difference between life and death. The phone operators are trained to work out if you need an ambulance. The following are some of the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes:
- Heart attack - pain, pressure, heaviness or discomfort in your chest, shoulder(s), neck, arm(s), jaw or back. You may also feel dizzy, nauseous, short of breath or cold and clammy.
- Stroke - do the FAST test.
- F for Face - Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
- A for Arms - can they lift both arms?
- S for Speech - has their speech slurred? Can they understand you?
- T for Time - time is critical so if you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away.
The team at Terry White Chemists Berwick are ideally placed to help you and your hearts. Pop in and speak to them about what you can do to reduce your risk. Or if you're worried about some aspect of your medication, speak to our pharmacists. And we have plenty of Self Care Cards which you can take home on topics such as Exercise and the Heart, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2, Smoking, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, Depression and many more.
References and further reading
- Heart Foundation of Australia website
- World Heart Federation website
- National Stroke Foundation website
- Beyond Blue website
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