The Heart Foundation predicts that one in four people don’t know a single heart attack warning sign.
To help educate residents about heart health, Ambulance Victoria, Heart Foundation and Monash University started community based project, Heart Matters.
Guest speaker James Nigro visited Iramoo Community Centre on Monday, June 20, to highlight the importance of maintaining good heart health.
Iramoo centre manager Renae Paul said she felt it was important to help the community learn the symptoms and risk factors associated with heart disease.
“Connecting the community with James [and] working with the Heart Foundation provided an opportunity for the community to learn how to recognise the warning signs of a heart attack, and the ways we can reduce our risk of suffering heart disease,” Ms Paul said.
“We hope the session will provide the community with ways to reduce their chances of heart disease by exercising, eating well, managing their stress levels and seeking help when needed.
“We also hope members now know how to recognise if a friend or family member is showing signs of a heart attack and when to call for help.”
Heart Matters is being delivered in regions of Victoria with the highest risk of heart attack and low levels of hearth health knowledge, and ambulance use.
