

Taking care of your heart is the best trick in the book, magician warns men
Media Release - 12 June 2020
One minute, professional magician and music performer, 51-year-old George Stas was playing the piano accordion on stage at the Brighton Theatre in North Brighton– his family and friends in the audience – and the next he was on the ground not breathing, with no pulse and in cardiac arrest. His heart had stopped.
An audience member quickly found a defibrillator and one of George’s close friends, a GP who happened to also be performing on stage with him along with George’s niece, re-started his heart on the second attempt, just as paramedics arrived.
Three days later, George woke up in hospital, remembering nothing of that moment, his wife and sister helping to piece together what happened. He was attached to monitors and was told he had a triple bypass to fix the three blockages in his arties with the right coronary artery 100% blocked.
“It wasn’t until the cardiologist told me that I was incredibly lucky to be alive that I realised how serious it was,” Mr Stas said.
As Men’s Health Week approaches on Monday, the Heart Foundation is urging men and boys to make healthy lifestyle choices.
In South Australia cardiovascular disease accounts for about 1 in 4 male deaths, and on average 67 men are admitted to hospital every day as a result of cardiovascular disease.
“This Men’s Health Week (15th-21st June) it is important to remind men about the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and the ways to keep your heart healthy,” says Marie Ludlow, Heart Health Manager SA.
“It’s important to look at the risk factors that we can change, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, whether you smoke, being physically inactive, being overweight and not eating a healthy diet,” Ms Ludlow said.
This is particularly relevant in South Australia, where 75% of men are overweight or obese, and 80% of men are not getting enough exercise.
George had never smoked or drunk alcohol, but now he is more careful with what he eats, exercises more often and has regular check-ups to take care of his heart and overall health.
“Regardless of whether you are fit and healthy, the biggest piece of advice I could give my fellow males is to get regular check- ups, as you just don’t know if you have an underlying condition,” Mr. Stas said.
The Heart Foundation recommends all Australians aged 45 years and over have a Heart Health Check at least every two years, and from 30 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
“During a Heart Health Check, your doctor or health practitioner will take blood tests for your blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels, check your blood pressure and body mass index and waist size. They will ask about your lifestyle including your diet, how active you are, and whether you smoke, as well as discussing your alcohol intake and your immediate family’s medical history,” Ms. Ludlow said
For George, anxiety and depression were the hardest parts of his recovery.
“I found the mental side of my recovery very hard, but I am now out there telling my story to my clients using magic as a tool to hopefully create awareness and educate people to have heart checks,” Mr Stas said.
This year Men’s Health Week runs from the 15th - 21st of June.
Media enquiries
Emily Goddard, Media Advisor
M: 0432 417 518 E: emily.goddard@heartfoundation.org.au
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Support for young adults: Online events
Support for young adults: Online events
Support for young adults: Online events
A series of virtual events for young adults on managing emotional wellbeing. ...
Heart Week
Heart Week
Heart Week
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation. ...
Personal Walking Plan
Personal Walking Plan
Personal Walking Plan
Feel healthier and happier in six weeks with a free Personal Walking Plan...
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Join our community of fundraisers who are committed to taking action to fight heart disease....
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
There is no single cause for any one heart condition, but there are risk factors that increase your chance of developing one. ...
Trek for Australian Hearts
Trek for Australian Hearts
Trek for Australian Hearts
Join the Heart Foundation in South Australia for the journey of a lifetime, trekking the ancient Flinders Ranges to help save Australian hearts....
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Visit the St Vincents Hospital NSW and Heart Foundation Aboriginal heart health website for more information...
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation programs and resources to support your recovery....
Philanthropic investments
Philanthropic investments
Philanthropic investments
Making philanthropic investments through the Heart Foundation can transform Australians’ health. ...
Australian Heart Maps
Australian Heart Maps
Australian Heart Maps
Our Heart Maps allow you to take a closer look at heart disease indicators across Australia....
Find a cardiac rehabilitation service near you
Find a cardiac rehabilitation service near you
This cardiac services directory presents information on cardiac rehab programs offered across Australia....
WEBINAR | CVD & COVID-19
WEBINAR | CVD & COVID-19
WEBINAR | CVD & COVID-19
Ask the experts: caring for people with CVD during COVID-19...
Our corporate partners
Our corporate partners
Our corporate partners
We value the support of all of our corporate partners....
Women's heart stories
Women's heart stories
Women's heart stories
Women's stories from around Australia...
Pregnancy and heart disease
Pregnancy and heart disease
Information and resources for health professionals....
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is the broad term for conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart muscle. ...
Why are you playing this game? It’s putting your heart at risk.
Why are you playing this game? It’s putting your heart at risk.
Why are you playing this game? It’s putting your heart at risk.
The game is “hide and seek”. You play it without even realising. The shock is that when you play this game, you could be placing your heart health at risk....
Breakfast recipes
Breakfast recipes
Breakfast recipes
Heart healthy breakfasts to start your day right...
Maryanne was shocked to find she had a hidden heart problem
Maryanne was shocked to find she had a hidden heart problem
Maryanne was shocked to find she had a hidden heart problem
At first, it didn’t cross my mind it could be something serious. ...
How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life
How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life
How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life
Kim shares the emotional and physical upheaval experienced on her journey to diagnosis and recovery....
Heart failure clinical resources
Heart failure clinical resources
Resources and clinical information for health professionals...
Physical activity resources
Physical activity resources
Physical activity resources
Resources for health professionals interested in physical activity....
Blood pressure and your heart
Blood pressure and your heart
Blood pressure and your heart
Understand blood pressure and how it can impact your heart health....
Healthy Active by Design
Healthy Active by Design
Healthy Active by Design
Improving the design of our cities, towns, streets and buildings makes it easier for Australians to lead heart-healthy lives....
My health for life program
My health for life program
My health for life program
The Heart Foundation is a proud supporter of the Queensland My health for life program...
Healthy eating to protect your heart
Healthy eating to protect your heart
Healthy eating to protect your heart
What does a heart-friendly diet look like?...
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management
Absolute CVD risk assessment is an integrated approach that estimates the cumulative risk of multiple risk factors to predict a heart attack or stroke event in the next five years....