Never miss a beat: Heart health matters
Every day, heaps of Aussies are dealing with heart disease, and it's a big deal—it's actually the top cause of death down under. With a heart attack happening every four minutes, it's time we all sit up and take notice.
This Heart Week, happening from 6th to 12th May 2024, we've got the National Heart Foundation of Australia leading the charge, rallying health pros and everyday Aussies alike to never miss a beat when it comes to heart health.
What is a heart attack?
Our heart is like the engine of a car. It needs a constant flow of blood to keep chugging along smoothly. That flow usually comes from these little blood highways called coronary arteries.
Now, when one of these arteries suddenly gets blocked, it's like slamming on the brakes of your car out of nowhere. No blood flow means no oxygen gets to your heart muscle, and that's when things get serious. We're talking about a heart attack, or as the docs like to call it, a ‘myocardial infarction.’
It's not just any old health hiccup—it's a full-blown emergency. Without that oxygen, your heart muscle starts to call it quits, and if things get really bad, you could end up with some permanent damage.
Unfortunately, it's a reality for far too many Aussies. Every single day, 17 people in Australia don't make it through a heart attack.
Source: Healthdirect Australia
Spotting a heart attack: Know the signs
When it comes to heart attacks, your body might throw you some curveballs. But here are the usual suspects you should keep an eye out for:
chest pain (pressure or tightness in your chest that may spread to your jaw, neck or left arm)
suddenly feeling dizzy, faint, light-headed or anxious
nausea or vomiting
a feeling of indigestion
sweating, or a cold sweat
looking pale
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
palpitations (being aware of your heart beating)
Keep in mind, though, that heart attack symptoms can play tricks on you. Some folks don't feel any chest pain at all before a heart attack hits, while others might brush off the signs as something else. So if you're feeling off, don't brush it off—better safe than sorry.
What causes heart attacks?
Coronary heart disease takes the crown as the main culprit. Picture this: your coronary arteries, the tiny blood vessels feeding your heart, get clogged up with a mix of cholesterol, fats, and other gunk. Over time, they harden into what we call cholesterol plaques. These nasty little plaques can pop like bubble wrap, causing a blood clot that blocks your artery faster than a sneaky roadblock.
Source: Healthdirect Australia
Sometimes, heart attacks come from other angles. Our lifestyle choices can also play a starring role in this heart-stopping drama.
Check it out:
When should I see my doctor?
Regular check-ins with your doctor are like tune-ups for your health. They’re the ones with the insider knowledge to check up on those heart disease risk factors and steer you in the right direction to dodge a heart attack bullet.
With Australia’s national heart health awareness week, the Heart Foundation is encouraging everyday Australians to never miss a beat and take steps to improve their heart health. Every four minutes, one Australian has a heart attack or stroke. At Skye, we want to support you in taking positive steps to reduce your risk of heart disease.
Never miss a beat by:
See your GP for a Heart Health Check: A Heart Health Check is a routine 20-minute check-up with your GP to assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years. If you are aged 45 and over and do not already have heart disease, we recommend you see your doctor for a Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Check. Some people may be eligible earlier, including First Nations peoples from 30 years, and from 35 years for people living with diabetes.
Completing the Heart Age Calculator: The Heart Age Calculator is a simple, 3-minute online questionnaire that helps people understand their risk of a heart attack or stroke by determining their heart age. If your heart age is higher than your actual age, you may be at a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke and should speak to your GP about getting a Heart Health Check.
Starting a conversation about heart health with your loved ones: Speak to your friends and family about their heart health, and the steps they can take to lower their risk. Encourage them to speak to their GP about a Heart Health Check, take part in exercise and eat a heart-healthy diet.
Visit the Heart Week webpage to learn more: heartfoundation.org.au/heart-week