Ballina Electorate Media Releases
Don Page joins campaign to raise awareness of Heart disease in women (10/06/2010)
The Member for Ballina, Don Page, is supporting the National Heart Foundation’s Go Red for Women campaign that aims to raise awareness of heart disease - the number one killer of women in Australia.
The annual Go Red for Women campaign culminates this Friday, 11 June 2010, when Australian women, and men, are asked to wear red and talk to friends, colleagues and family about the dangers of heart disease.
“Many people do not realise that heart disease is the number one killer of women in Australia, claiming the lives of 11, 221 women in 2008,” Mr Page said.
“Heart disease kills four times as many women as breast cancer,” he said.
“I had major heart surgery eight months ago so I understand better than most people how important it is to look after your heart.
“I wonder how many people realise that heart disease is the leading killer of Australians, claiming the lives of 31 women every day.
“The Heart Foundation’s research has found that only one in five women know heart disease is the leading cause of death.
“The Go Red for Women day is a great opportunity to educate the community not only about the dangers of heart disease but importantly, how people can decrease the risk of heart problems,” Mr Page said.
“Heart disease is largely preventable by leading a healthy lifestyle,” he said.
There are a number of risk factors that increase a person’s chances of developing heart disease. These are:
- Smoking
- High blood cholesterol
- Lack of physical activity
- Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Overweight
- Depression, social isolation and lack of social support
“Women should make sure they have regular checkups, stop smoking, eat healthily, exercise regularly, know their cholesterol levels, their blood pressure and their weight and get them checked regularly,” Mr Page said.
I hope women across the Northern Rivers will wear something red on Friday and spread the message about heart disease and how to avoid it,” Mr Page said.
For more information about heart disease go to www.goredforwomen.org.au.
