New data from the foundation shows the top five regions with the highest rates across three out of four risk factors for heart disease are all found in regional areas of Victoria.Geelong was ranked 7th of 17 regions in Victoria for coronary heart disease mortality rates.The Geelong region had 67.1 deaths per 100,000 people, compared to 61.5 per 100,000 statewide. Geelong Advertiser App
It also ranked 7th for prevalence of obesity and smoking rates.
Heart Foundation CEO Victoria, Kellie-Ann Jolly, says figures tell us social and economic disadvantage matter for your heart.“Victorians who live in the state’s most disadvantaged areas are more likely to have significant risk factors, be hospitalised for heart attack or die from coronary heart disease,” she said.“We know better heart health is linked with secure work, safe affordable housing, good education, access to healthy food and appropriate health services.“The burden of heart disease weighs heavy on us all and so it’s time to act to close the metro-regional divide. “We need Government, communities, industry and individuals working together toaddress these inequalities.”Ms Jolly said the Heart Foundation was committed to seeing these numbers fall.
“We will continue to work with key decision-makers to target areas for ‘best buy’ investments in preventative health, support and care services,” she said. As Victorians finally approach a COVID-normal summer, Ms Jolly urged people to understand their personal risks for heart disease and take steps to address them.“We know people may have put off seeing a doctor this year, but it’s time now to make that appointment,” she said. “If you’re 45 years and over, or from age 30 if you’re Aboriginal or Torres StraitIslander, I urge you to talk to your GP about having a Heart Health Check.”Leopold 52-year-old Craig Hillgrove, who has survived two heart attacks, echoed Ms Jolly’s warning.
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Mr Hillgrove, who was a semi-professional cricketer in the UK in the 1990s, had his first heart attack in 2018, just days before his 50th birthday.He suffered a second heart attack just months later, and both incidents resulted in having stents installed.In August 2019, at a follow-up appointment with a cardiologist, Mr Hillgrove failed a stress test on a treadmill, and ended up having a quadruple bypass.Mr Hillgrove, who lives with heart disease and diabetes, has lost about 20 kilos in the last year. “I’m making better choices with food and being more active,” he said. “It’s about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.“This is a silent killer.“I wasn’t leading the healthiest life but I never thought I’d have heart disease.”
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