Ramsay Newsroom

According to the Heart Foundation, 1.4 million Australians have a high chance of having a heart or stroke in the next five years, yet many remain unaware of the risks.

Recognising World Heart Day today, the team at Cairns Private Hospital is sharing some tips for heart health, because most heart attacks and strokes can be prevented.

“More Australians die of heart disease than any other cause but people need to realise we can greatly reduce our risks by making some healthy lifestyle choices,” said Dr Sam Hillier, Cardiac representative on Cairns Private Hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee.

“Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a good weight, being active and not smoking can greatly improve your heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

“If you’re over the age of 45, or over the age of 30 for Indigenous Australians, check your blood pressure and cholesterol regularly and talk to your GP if you have any concerns,” Dr Hillier said.

Chief Executive Officer Ben Tooth said Cairns Private Hospital had been offering Far North Queenslanders quality cardiac care for years, with leading cardiac specialists and nurses supporting patients through diagnosis, treatment and recovery for a range of heart conditions.

“We’ve brought the latest technology to the people of Cairns and the broader Far North, giving patients access to new surgical treatment options without needing to travel to Brisbane,” Mr Tooth said.

“Our new $1.2 million Cardiac Catheter Laboratory opened earlier this year and our cardiac team offer patients timely treatments, their choice of specialist plus our popular Strong Hearts cardiac rehabilitation program”.

As the only private Cardiac Cath Lab in the region, it provides the community with a valuable, lifesaving diagnostic service and is situated between the cardiology clinic and the intensive/coronary care units.

Dr Hillier said the new cath lab allows more minimally invasive treatment options to be performed for heart patients, including patent foramen ovale (PFO) closures - where a device is implanted into the heart under local anaesthesia and sedation.

“PFO Closure is well recognised in reducing the risk of stroke in people with PFO and the new cath lab makes it easier to treat people with this complex condition,” Dr Hillier said.

“Performing the PFO Closure is a real team effort. It’s performed in the cath lab, and the neurologist and two cardiologists work together so there are many specialists involved”.

For more information head to www.cairnsprivate.com.au