As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure – and that’s precisely the aim of a new program at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service to address heart attacks and heart disease before they occur.
The program, Healthy Hearts, which is funded by the Gippsland Primary Health Network, works with people who are at risk of having a heart attack or developing heart disease in the future.
Cardiac Liaison Nurse Claire Chapman said people with conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, who are overweight or who smoke can be referred to the program by their GP.
She said the program engages people before serious cardiac complications take hold.
“The program is run over two weeks, with one session a week. The program is run once a month. It involves our BRHS Allied Health team including physiotherapists and dietitians, and looks at risk reduction,” Claire said.
“Topics include diet, exercising, eating healthy, quitting smoking and how to reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol.
“This is a health promotion and prevention program. We are looking at care right across the cardiac journey. We’re helping people to reduce their risk of developing heart disease or chronic heart conditions. We want to prevent them coming into hospital and help them to live longer and live well.”
The program has been well received so far, Claire said.
“The program started last month, and we have another starting shortly. It is held at our Ross street campus. The feedback from the first group was that it was just the information that they were after. At the moment, the program is funded for people aged over 65, but we will accept younger people.”
Please see your GP to discuss your risk factors or enquire through BRHS Central Intake: phone 5150 3468.