Preventing heart disease

Very recently the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that cancer has now overtaken heart disease as the number one cause of death worldwide and specifically here at home in Australia. This doesn’t mean that heart health should stop being a priority – many factors that contribute to heart health also contribute to a range of forms of cancer also. February is heart month – it’s not only Valentine’s Day but it’s also RedFeb. RedFeb is an initiative of Heart Health Australia and aims to spread awareness of and raise funds for heart disease. Live your later years full of life like this couple with our heart health tips.

Here’s some simple steps you can follow to lower your risk of heart disease:

1. Don’t smoke and limit alcohol intake

We don’t have to say it twice – smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are very bad for your health. Both have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. It’s also not enough to simply not smoke – second hand smoke that you may be exposed to in social situations can also have detrimental effects on your health.

2. Take every opportunity to be physically active

The sedentary lives many of us now live can see us sitting for more than two thirds of a day. Our bodies weren’t designed to sit for this many hours a day, or for extended periods in one sitting. As a result, health issues, such as high blood pressure and being overweight are very common and difficult for people to treat. Take every opportunity to be active, you know the old saying ‘take the stairs, not the lift’; do this and more! Add as much incidental exercise into your daily life. Schedule walking meetings, move away from your desk at least once an hour at work, encourage your children to engage in physically active past times and join them!

3. Maintain a consistent healthy diet

This has two prong – don’t aim to be on a diet for a short period of time to gain a specific outcome (lose weight for your wedding day) create a healthy food routine that you can stick with in the long term with the goal of fuelling your body for optimal health throughout your life. It’s often tempting to simply cut back on certain unhealthy foods, such as sugar or processed foods. Ensure that you’re replacing these poorer food choices with extra fresh, wholefoods too – for example, swapping chips with fresh fruit or veggies as snacks.

4. Get enough sleep

The young, the old and the in between will all benefit from good quality sleep, and enough of it. This is the time your body recovers and rejuvenates and is essential for concentration, dealing with emotions and stress, limiting food cravings, increasing energy levels and so much more.

5. Catch health issues early

Visit your GP and your physio for health screenings at the very first sign of symptoms. It’s also good to get into a routine of visiting a health professional for a check-up with the goal of prevention or at a minimum catching a health issue early. This will give you the best possible chance for a longer lifespan that isn’t just long in years but long in valuable and fulfilling time – you don’t want to be struck down with illness too early and not be able to enjoy your twilight years. See your physio for preventative physical health measure to ensure you can move well, maintain balance and strength. Read more about how physiotherapy can help you later in life. Complementary to this, you GP can provide regular blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes screening.

It important that each of us take responsibility for our own health and wellness. Partner with appropriate health professionals to aid in prevention and treatment for a long and fulfilling life.