There are certain measures people can take to make sure their hearts remain healthy, including not smoking, managing your blood cholesterol and blood pressure, being physically active, keeping your weight down and eating a variety of nutritious food.  

Looking after your mental health also helps to keep your heart healthy as it is proven that people that have depression, are socially isolated or don’t have good social support are at a greater risk of heart disease.

Heart disease is the single biggest killer of Australians, but the good news is it can be prevented.  Know your risks and get your heart checked regularly.

People that have had a heart episode are encouraged to complete cardiac rehabilitation as soon as they can after their episode. 

Cardiac rehabilitation is a group exercise and education program designed to assist people with heart disease to lead a healthy and satisfying life.  

Four years ago, in the Wimmera, cardiac rehabilitation programs were only available in Horsham and Edenhope. 

Clients from elsewhere, who required cardiac rehabilitation would travel to Horsham for an eight-week program.  For many clients, it was a huge barrier for various reasons - transport, unable to drive due to their cardiac condition, time and work commitments.

Cardiac rehabilitation is now offered not only in Horsham and Edenhope but is also available in Warracknabeal and Nhill by Telehealth which is the ‘use of telecommunication techniques for the purpose of providing telemedicine, medical education and health education over a distance’. 

Telehealth improves access to specialist health services and means people don’t need to travel too far from home to receive it.

To find out more about heart health visit the Heart Foundation at www.heartfoundation.org.au or visit your GP.  To access cardiac rehabilitation in the Wimmera phone your local health service.