Learn how to keep a healthy heart
CSIRO has launched its new publication – The CSIRO Healthy Heart Program – to help Australians reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, which kills one Australian nearly every 10 minutes.
The CSIRO Healthy Heart Program – by the same team that published the very successful CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet books – provides a complete eating and exercise plan aimed at reducing risk factors for cardiovascular and related diseases such as diabetes.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator the Hon Jan McLucas, launched the new book at Parliament House. Senator McLucas said the launch was a timely reminder of the real benefits to be gained from preventative health initiatives.
”There are clear benefits to individuals, families and the Australian community for all of us to consider the positive health messages of the Healthy Heart Program - good diet, exercise and regular medical check-ups,“ she said.
The CEO of the Heart Foundation, Dr Lyn Roberts AM, said good nutrition is critical to improving the cardiovascular health of Australians and avoiding an escalation in the burden of chronic disease in future years. “This book takes CSIRO’s strong record of accomplishment in the science of nutrition and cardiovascular health to the public,” Dr Noakes said.
”The Heart Foundation strongly supports the CSIRO and Federal Government’s focus on prevention and the importance of securing additional funding to support expansion of preventative health programs,” Dr Roberts said. The book includes information on heart disease risk factors such as: weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and exercise, a structured 12-week exercise plan, eating plan and recipes.
Co-author and researcher, Dr Manny Noakes from CSIRO’s Preventative Health National Research Flagship, said that the program provides a comprehensive lifestyle program for individuals. ”From the age of 40, the lifetime risk for coronary heart disease is one-in-two for men and one–in-three for women,” she said.
“Cardiovascular disease affects more than 3.5 million Australians and prevents 1.4 million people from living a full life because of disability caused by the disease but in most cases it can be prevented by adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle. This book takes CSIRO’s strong record of accomplishment in the science of nutrition and cardiovascular health to the public,” Dr Noakes said.
”We’ve learnt from the success of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet books and created a program focussed on heart health but which is also suitable for a wider range of people, such as vegetarians or those that don’t necessarily need to lose weight but wish to improve their nutrition and fitness.”
