Embracing a Healthy Heart this World Heart Day

Staff and residents from Mercy Place Edgewater will be seeing red on Thursday 29 September, when they come together to mark World Heart Day, and in the process don their favourite red clothes as a symbol of their commitment to heart health.

Created by the World Heart Federation, World Heart Day seeks to increase public awareness and knowledge of the world's number one killer - cardiovascular disease, and how it can be diagnosed and prevented.

Mercy Place Edgewater Service Manager, Pammy Singh, says research shows that more than two-thirds of Australian adults have at least three risk factors for heart disease, and World Heart Day provided an important opportunity to raise awareness about heart health at a local level, within the popular aged care home.

“As many of us already know, the good news is that many types of heart disease can be easily prevented,” says Ms Singh.

“Simple measures like controlling your blood pressure, keeping your cholesterol under control, eating a healthy diet and staying at a healthy weight can all really help in the prevention of heart disease, and we’re really pleased to be able to have the opportunity to talk about these issues to our residents and staff, while dressing up and having a bit of fun on the day.

“Here at Mercy Health, one of the most important issues for us is providing our residents with a healthy, balanced diet. This is something we pride ourselves on - supporting our seniors to continue to live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy delicious, healthy food.

“Healthy living is our mantra, as it should be,” adds Ms Singh.

The World Heart Federation is behind World Heart Day which is celebrated every year on 29 September. The initiative informs people around the globe about cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, the world’s leading cause of death. It aims to drive action to educate people that by controlling risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, at least 80 per cent of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke can be avoided.

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