What can you do?
By now you’ve probably read that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Australian women. But did you know that 90% of Australian women have at least one heart disease risk factor? The risk factors aren’t always obvious and a heart attack can often be the first sign.
And did you know that nearly 30% of Australian women aged 30-65 have high blood pressure or high cholesterol yet most of them don’t know they are heart disease risk factors?
You’re probably wondering a lot of things right now, including “Am I one of them?” and “What can I do?”
START by visiting your doctor for a heart health check. This involves discussing your family history of heart disease with your GP; having your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked; and discussing what other risk factors you might have. To make it easier, download the ‘Questions to ask your GP’ brochure and take it along with you. Encourage the women you love to get their heart health checked too.
REGISTER for the 2012 Healthy Heart Challenge. It’s free, online and over six weeks we’ll support you to make simple changes to reduce your risk of heart disease. Register with a friend, colleague or family member from 1 May 2012 (starts 4 June)!
CONTINUE by getting involved in and supporting Go Red for Women, the Heart Foundation’s campaign to raise awareness of women and heart disease. Here’s how:
If you need more inspiration to join the Challenge and put your heart health first, read some real life stories about the difference it has made in other women’s lives. Their stories are not always what you might think.