How do I avoid a heart attack?
An estimated 110 Australians have a heart attack daily.
A new Australian online hub Know Your Numbers, Treat Your Risk has been launched. It provides tools, resources, information, support and stories of survivors for people to be proactive with their cardiovascular health.
Global Alliance for Patient Access, a Not For Profit international platform for health care providers and patient advocates to inform policy dialogue about patient-centered care, is behind the initiative.
Experiencing a heart attack or stroke leaves people with a range of emotions and the fear of having another cardiovascular event.
The online hub claims it offers a lot to help reduce the chances of a subsequent heart attack or stroke.
Understanding cholesterol is most important
Cholesterol is essential for your body to work, but too much lipoprotein can lead to a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.
High low-density LDL (often referred to as bad cholesterol) levels are a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and contribute to the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke.
Know Your Numbers, Treat Your Risk says it is more than just an information guide to heart attacks. It aims to help others identify and relate with the emotional toll that a cardiovascular event can take, as three-quarters of heart attack survivors say they have been through “cardiac blues.”
Signs of the cardiac blues after a heart attack:
- Loss of interest in usual activities
- Feeling tearful and crying easily
- Thoughts about death
- Decreased appetite
- Reduced sex drive
Left untreated, the emotional consequences can lead to changes in behaviour that may continue to negatively impact someone’s heart health.
Know Your Numbers, Treat Your Risk is about empowering heart attack victims to take an active role in managing their cardiovascular health by “knowing their numbers and treating their risk.