Australians getting older, not wiser
Australians are getting older, heavier and less active, putting themselves at greater risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the Heart Foundation, which this week marks its 50th anniversary as Australia’s leading voice on heart health.
To coincide with its birthday, the Heart Foundation is encouraging the nearly 95,000 NSW residents also turning 50 in 2009, to use this milestone as a trigger to find out about their heart health and take action to ward off Australia’s number one killer - cardiovascular disease.
According to Tony Thirlwell, Heart Foundation CEO – NSW, in 2004–05 more than half of all Australian adults were either overweight or obese1. Studies show the incidence of obesity was most common in Australians aged 50 to 59 years, at around 24% for men and 30% for women2.
“To make matters worse, more than half of all Australians are not doing enough physical activity3,” Thirlwell said.
“Generally, baby boomers are eating more and being less active, leading to weight gain as we get older. Those extra kilos and lack of daily exercise are two major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, so there’s an opportunity to make a few small lifestyle changes now, which could make a big difference in the future,” he added.
Death rates from cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke and blood vessel disease), have been in decline since peaking at 56% of deaths in 1968. However, the Heart Foundation fears that death rates could rise again in the years ahead, with risk factors such as obesity on the rise and some other risk factors not improving.
“Australia was the first country to see a decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease. We don’t want to be the first country to see this trend reverse. Cardiovascular disease is a serious problem that hasn’t gone away,” Thirlwell said.
“At 50, there is so much of life to enjoy. The key is to be healthy and look after your heart,” he said.
The Heart Foundation’s six-step ‘Heart Health Checklist’ is:
- Maintain healthy levels of blood pressure and blood cholesterol: Raised levels of blood pressure and cholesterol can lead to heart disease. Healthy lifestyle habits are critical to keeping them at healthy levels. Try to have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly and follow your doctor’s advice.
- Quit smoking: Stopping smoking is the single most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Enjoy healthy eating: Healthy eating means enjoying a variety of foods from different food groups. Healthy eating is about choosing: mainly plant based foods; moderate amounts of lean meats, poultry, fish and reduced fat dairy products; and, moderate amounts of polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oils and fats.
- Be physically active: Regular, moderate-intensity physical activity is good for the heart. Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity such as brisk walking on most days of the week can help lower blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol and keep your weight at a healthy level.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight and carrying too much weight around the waist are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The keys to achieving a healthy body weight are to enjoy healthy eating and regular physical activity.
- Visit your GP regularly: Your GP can check your overall risk for cardiovascular disease. This includes assessing your blood pressure, cholesterol, family history and lifestyle factors. With this information, your GP can provide individualised advice on the best ways you can lower your risk and lead a heart healthy lifestyle.
For more information on managing your heart health, call the Heart Foundation’s Health Information Service on 1300 36 27 87, or visit http://www.heartfoundation.org.au.
