The heart age calculator from the Heart Foundation reveals that Australians have an older heart than actual age



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Thousands of Australians were told that they had a six-year-old heart age at their biological age and that they were at risk of having a heart attack.

The heart attack in Australia has been amply revealed by more than 143,283 Australians who have used the heart age calculator of the Heart Foundation to check their heart health in response to a campaign from the foundation and News Corp Australia.

The test takes less than two minutes and gives a first indication of the state of the heart; a very serious health problem that should further be discussed with a doctor.

More than 7,500 of those who have already passed the test provided their results to the Foundation. In addition, eight out of ten had a heart age higher than their actual age.

One in fourteen had a cardiac age identical to his biological age; and one in ten had a heart younger than their actual age.

Governor General and patron of the Heart Foundation, Peter Cosgrove, urged people to use the calculator online.

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TO FOLLOW: the alarming state of health of Australians

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"When the Heart Foundation was created, about one in three died of heart disease. Today, it has risen to 1 in 10. But, despite all the progress, all the lives saved, much remains to be done.

Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in this country – claiming the life of a person every half hour. I encourage all Australians to use the calculator and take steps to

reduce their own risks. "

Bill Stavreski, director general of heart health and research at the Heart Foundation, said these people had an average heart six years older than their actual age.

Many of the people who have gone through the Heart Foundation Heart Test did not know their blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

"This is worrying because BP and cholesterol are the main risk factors for heart disease. They are also invisible. We urge these people to undergo a cardiac checkup, knowing that your numbers could save your life, "Stavreski said.

You can try the calculator on the Foundation's website.

The results are sobering after News Corp Australia has won a major victory in the #ShowSomeTicker campaign by getting both sides of the policy to accept Medicare funding for a new heart health checkup.

The assessment, conducted by a general practitioner to assess the risk of heart attack over the next five years, is a crucial step in the fight against heart disease. As the main killer of Australia, he kills 51 people a day.

The Morrison government will present the checks as of April 1 and opposition leader Bill Shorten is committed to providing $ 170 million for the measure when he wins the government. The Greens also support the initiative.

The Morrison Government will also provide new funding of $ 220 million for research into heart disease and new treatments.

During a cardiac check-up, the patient's general practitioner checks his blood pressure, cholesterol, lifestyle, smoking status and family history and then assesses the risk of heart attack over the next five years.

FOLLOW UP: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia

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It is hoped that people at risk will be prescribed medication to prevent a heart attack and that they will take the necessary steps to change their lifestyle by eating better and exercising more.

Having a family history of heart disease increases the risk of developing heart disease in one person and two out of five people have reported this risk.

"If they have not already done so, we urge these people to pass a cardiac checkup to their GP to determine their overall risk and manage it properly," said Dr. Stavreski.

Assistant Professor John Kelly AM, executive director of the foundation, said he is pleased with the impressive successes in reducing heart disease mortality by 62 percent in six decades – but warned "we have become complacent as that community ".

"Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in Australia, killing an Aussie every 28 minutes. In reality, with the aging of the population, rising rates of obesity and the decline in physical activity, we still have a lot of work to do to reduce the impact of diseases cardiacs on the Australian community. "

After being committed to completing a Medicare-funded cardiac checkup, News Corp Australia and the Heart Foundation have asked political leaders to consider six additional steps to contain the scourge of heart disease.

Better access to rehabilitation programs after a heart attack is essential to prevent a second heart attack.

Australia's guidelines for heart disease are out of date and $ 500,000 is needed to update them.

Women suffer heart attacks differently from men and our health system has been found to discriminate against them. So we need a national campaign on women and heart disease.

There is also a need for more action to combat smoking and improve diet and exercise habits. We must also put an end to rheumatic heart disease in at-risk communities.

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