{"id":3079,"date":"2023-01-04T03:00:05","date_gmt":"2023-01-03T16:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/2023\/01\/04\/heart-disease-prevention\/"},"modified":"2024-02-15T10:09:17","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T23:09:17","slug":"heart-disease-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/heart-disease-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Heart Disease: Coronary Heart Disease Treatment and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Source: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aihw.gov.au\/reports\/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases\/hsvd-facts\/contents\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Australian Institute of Health and Welfare<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscles become narrowed or blocked by a buildup of fatty substances, this is known as atherosclerosis. As the coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed, the heart does not get the oxygen that it needs, leading to health complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the lifestyle risk factors for heart disease?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/your-heart\/are-you-at-risk-of-heart-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart Foundation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the risk factors for heart disease that you have control over are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smoking, as it damages the blood vessels to your heart<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unhealthy diet; which affects your cholesterol, blood pressure and weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being inactive (not exercising enough)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unhealthy weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive alcohol consumption (a.k.a. heavy drinking or binge drinking)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What risk factors are there that I can\u2019t control?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some risk factors for heart disease are beyond your control, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Family history<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sex &#8211; males are at a higher risk than females<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Female specific risk factors, such as complications during pregnancy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ethnic background, such as South Asian, Middle Eastern, Maori or Pacific Islander are at a higher risk<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social environment, as people living in low socioeconomic areas are at higher risk of having a heart attack or dying due to heart disease<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help you understand how you can prevent heart disease, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/your-heart\/are-you-at-risk-of-heart-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart Foundation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has outlined ten steps that you can incorporate into an effective heart healthy lifestyle.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What can I do to Prevent Heart Disease?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help to prevent heart disease, adopting a healthy lifestyle can make a big difference. Below, we\u2019ve listed the activities you can take to stay on top of your heart health and prevent heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See your GP for a Heart Health Check<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consulting your GP for a heart health check is important, as they can give you information and help you make a plan that will suit all of your needs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, your GP will do the following during a heart health check:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check the following body measurements for any immediate concerns<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cholesterol<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood sugar levels<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discuss your history and lifestyle, including aspects such as:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your diet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Levels of physical activity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smoking and alcohol consumption<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you are maintaining a healthy weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your medical and family history<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assess all of the aforementioned information in order to determine your risk of a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If necessary, your doctor will help you create a plan that will address specific risk factors for heart disease and promote your overall heart health.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, your doctor may discuss prescribing medication if they deem it necessary to help lower your risk factors for heart disease.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refer you to another health professional if it is determined that you may require further support.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow a Healthy Eating Pattern<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eating a variety of nutritious foods is good for your health and can help reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions, including heart disease. This includes:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eating plenty of vegetables, fruit and whole grains.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Including a variety of healthy protein-rich foods; especially fish and seafood, legumes (such as beans and lentils), nuts and seeds. Eggs and poultry can also be enjoyed as part of a heart-healthy eating pattern.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you eat red meat, choose lean cuts and limit it to one to three times per week.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing unflavoured milk, yoghurt and cheese. If you have heart disease or high cholesterol, choose reduced fat varieties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Including healthy fats and oils like nuts, seeds, avocados, olives and their oils for cooking.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add herbs and spices to flavour foods, instead of adding salt.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Move More (and More Often)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical activity is an important part of looking after your health and reducing your risk of a heart attack or stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All types of physical activity count. Moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, is great for your health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is recommended that you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity five or more days per week. If you like, you can break this up into smaller bouts, such as three 10-minute walks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are active on all or most days of the week, with some muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days each week.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be Smoke Free<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. Every cigarette that you don\u2019t smoke is doing you good.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As well as causing cancer, tobacco smoking affects the arteries that supply blood to your heart and other parts of your body. It reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood and damages your artery walls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tobacco smoking also makes your blood \u2018stickier\u2019, causing blood cells to clump together. This slows blood flow through your arteries and makes blockages more common. Blockages may cause a heart attack or stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most effective way to stop smoking is with a combination of:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">support from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quit.org.au\/articles\/how-can-quitline-help\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quitline<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stop-smoking medicines such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quit.org.au\/articles\/nicotine-replacement-therapy-products-quick-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nicotine replacement therapy<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintain a Healthy Weight<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consistent exercise and a healthy diet can help to maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drink less Alcohol<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of a heart attack and stroke.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do drink alcohol, the Heart Foundation recommends following the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhmrc.gov.au\/health-advice\/alcohol\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Health and Medical Research Council\u2019s (NHMRC)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> recommended levels of alcohol consumption:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthy men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children and young people under 18 years of age should not drink alcohol.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To reduce the risk of harm to their unborn child, women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should not drink alcohol. For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest for their baby.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For people with heart disease and related conditions or risk factors, the evidence is not strong enough to recommend a safe amount of alcohol consumption for heart health.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For some people, the safest option is to not drink alcohol at all.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduce Stress<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stress is a key risk factor for heart disease.\u00a0 Learning when to adjust your lifestyle and situation can play an important part in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Understanding stress, stress management and relaxation are vital in ensuring good mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies have shown that living with a mental health condition like depression or anxiety can increase the risk of developing heart disease <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Source: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au\/health\/conditionsandtreatments\/heart-disease-risk-factors#depression-anxiety-social-isolation-and-cardiovascular-disease-risk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better Health<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. People who are socially isolated or do not have good social support are also at greater risk of developing heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can be managed and supported. If you\u2019re feeling lonely, isolated, worried, or depressed, talk to your doctor and reach out to friends and family. You can also get more information and support from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondblue.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond Blue<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manage your Cholesterol<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance produced naturally by your body. The body needs cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D and to build cells. Everyone has cholesterol, but too much means plaque can build up in the coronary arteries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This can make it harder for blood and oxygen to reach the heart and brain, which can increase the risk of a heart attack and stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of the total cholesterol in your blood is made up of \u2018bad\u2019 low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Only a small part is made up of \u2018good\u2019 high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to maintain good cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease, you should avoid eating processed foods that increase LDL cholesterol, and instead eat foods that increase HDL cholesterol such as oily fish, certain oils (sunflower, soybean, olive, etc.) as well as seeds and nuts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manage your Blood Pressure<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood pressure is the pressure on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body. High blood pressure can overload your heart and arteries and can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your family history, eating patterns, alcohol intake, weight and physical activity have a strong influence on blood pressure. Certain medications can also affect your blood pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That is why it is important to consult your GP so they can measure your blood pressure and determine the level of intervention necessary to keep your blood pressure at a normal level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manage your blood glucose levels<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with diabetes are at greater risk of heart attack and stroke than people without diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The three main types of diabetes are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type 1 diabetes, where the body doesn\u2019t make insulin.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type 2 diabetes, where the body becomes resistant to insulin and doesn\u2019t make enough insulin to meet needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gestational diabetes, which women can develop during pregnancy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insulin is the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels in the body. Your doctor will check your blood sugar levels as part of a Heart Health Check, at which point they may recommend you make changes to your diet and increase your physical activity. They also may prescribe you medicine if necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Life<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! program help me prevent heart disease?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step to prevent heart disease is to know your risk for it. The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em> <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program provides an easy to use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/#health-check\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">health check<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that takes 3 minutes to complete and helps you understand your risk for developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you know your risk, you may be eligible to join the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em> <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program to help you prevent heart disease and lower your risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Life<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! is a free healthy lifestyle program that helps you improve your eating habits, increase your physical activity and manage stress. You can choose from a group course or the Telephone Health Coaching service.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our experienced health professionals will help you make small changes to your lifestyle so that you can achieve your health goals and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Life<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! is funded by the Victorian government and managed by Diabetes Victoria. You can check your eligibility for the program <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/learn-about-life\/#am-i-eligible\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button teal\" href=\"#health-check\">Take the health check<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aihw.gov.au\/reports\/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases\/hsvd-facts\/contents\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.aihw.gov.au\/reports\/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases\/hsvd-facts\/contents\/about<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/your-heart\/coronary-heart-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/your-heart\/coronary-heart-disease<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/your-heart\/are-you-at-risk-of-heart-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/bundles\/your-heart\/are-you-at-risk-of-heart-disease<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/heart-health-education\/heart-health-checks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/heart-health-education\/heart-health-checks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhmrc.gov.au\/health-advice\/alcohol\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.nhmrc.gov.au\/health-advice\/alcohol<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au\/health\/conditionsandtreatments\/heart-disease-risk-factors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au\/health\/conditionsandtreatments\/heart-disease-risk-factors<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartresearch.com.au\/heart-disease\/stress-and-your-heart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartresearch.com.au\/heart-disease\/stress-and-your-heart\/<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reviewers<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/elleni-kaias\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elleni Kaias<\/a>, Accredited Practicing Dietitian | Primary Care Engagement Lead<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kristie-cocotis-587282124\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kristie Cocotis<\/a>, Head of Prevention and Health Promotion<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/sarah-dub%C3%A9-57861660\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sarah <\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW248055663 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-AU\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW248055663 BCX0\">Dub\u00e9, Strategy and Engagement Lead<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/au.linkedin.com\/in\/ria-cheripuram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ria Cheripuram<\/a>, Digital Communications Officer<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/au.linkedin.com\/in\/tegankohlman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tegan Kohlman<\/a>, Communications and Social Marketing Officer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia (Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare). It occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscles become narrowed or blocked by a buildup of fatty substances, this is known as atherosclerosis. As the coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed, the heart does not get the oxygen&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":3080,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3079","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3079","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3079"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3079\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3154,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3079\/revisions\/3154"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3079"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3079"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3079"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}