Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics are setting an example for the community, getting their heart health checked to mark Heart Week 2024.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia with more than 40,000 people dying from cardiovascular disease each year with nearly 600,000 hospitalised for it.
AV Acting Mildura Senior Team Manager Bronwyn Lambert said she had been urging her team to put their health first and that the community should follow suit.
“Heart Health Checks identify an individual’s risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke in the next five years, so you have the chance to make lifestyle changes,” Ms Lambert said.
Many heart attacks and strokes can be prevented through healthy behaviours like eating a heart healthy diet, being active, maintaining a healthy weight and being smoke free.
Our paramedics give out this advice every day and it’s important we follow it as well.”
Heart Foundation Healthcare Programs Manager Natalie Raffoul said regular Heart Health Checks were especially important for those aged 45 and above.
“Your risk of developing heart disease is influenced by more than just the commonly-known lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet – risk is also strongly influenced by your family history, cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes status,” Ms Raffoul said.
The Heart Foundation’s Heart Week runs from May 6 to 12.
For more information, visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/heart-health-checks
