{"id":3095,"date":"2023-03-02T03:58:56","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T16:58:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/2023\/03\/02\/heart-disease-programs\/"},"modified":"2024-02-15T10:08:52","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T23:08:52","slug":"heart-disease-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/heart-disease-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart disease programs: How to find a prevention program that works for you"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t wait to be diagnosed with heart disease before you look for heart disease programs. There are various risk factors for heart disease, and 90% of Australians have at least one of them <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Source: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartresearch.com.au\/heart-disease\/risk-factors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart Research Australia<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These risk factors include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smoking\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cholesterol levels<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being inactive<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Living with diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being overweight<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unhealthy diet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gender<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ethnic background<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Family history<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consult your doctor to find out if you are at risk, and then find a heart disease program that works for you. Prevention is better than a cure, and heart disease includes many serious conditions, including;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coronary heart disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart attack<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart failure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stroke<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aneurysm (bulge caused by a weakening of the heart muscle or artery)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Septal defect (abnormal opening between the left and right sides of the heart)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peripheral vascular disease (disease of the large blood vessels of the arms, legs, and feet)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rheumatic heart disease (caused by rheumatic fever, and mainly affecting the heart valves)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Congenital heart disease (defects or malformations in the heart or blood vessels that occur before birth)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em> <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program is, among many other things, a heart disease program that reinforces a healthy lifestyle, so you can be best equipped to prevent any serious heart conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does a heart disease program like the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em> <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program do?<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helps you to improve your eating habits<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A healthy diet is important for preventing or managing heart disease. This involves eating a variety of healthy foods with important nutrients such as protein and fibre, while also avoiding harmful saturated and trans fats, added sodium, high cholesterol foods, etc. The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program will help you with:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthy recipes for all meals of the day<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tips for eating out<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reading food labels and modifying recipes to get the most nutritional value out of what you eat<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help you engage in more physical activity<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercise is important in lowering the risk of heart conditions. However, getting the daily 30 minutes of exercise recommended by experts such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/getmedia\/a54598f9-e091-4637-b2be-aeed4244bf1e\/Reducing-risk-in-heart-disease.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Heart Foundation<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can be difficult for many reasons; from scheduling time in, to finding the motivation to do it consistently, to finding the right exercises that match your health goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em> <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program doesn\u2019t just teach you how to exercise. Your health professionals will help you identify the best kind of physical activity to suit you and your goals, and then help you include that into your lifestyle so that it becomes part of your daily routine.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To give you support and help to overcome challenges<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you continue your healthy lifestyle journey, the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em> <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program works with you every step of the way. Throughout your sessions, the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> team will address your concerns, help you with any challenges and give you a clear understanding as to where you\u2019ll go next.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em> <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program an effective heart disease prevention program?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em> <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program is an effective heart disease program, as it gives you the resources and the knowledge to achieve a healthy lifestyle and effectively lower your risk of heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/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><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program 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.heartresearch.com.au\/heart-disease\/what-is-heart-disease\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartresearch.com.au\/heart-disease\/what-is-heart-disease\/<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartresearch.com.au\/heart-disease\/risk-factors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartresearch.com.au\/heart-disease\/risk-factors\/<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartresearch.com.au\/heart-disease\/healthy-eating\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartresearch.com.au\/heart-disease\/healthy-eating\/<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/getmedia\/a54598f9-e091-4637-b2be-aeed4244bf1e\/Reducing-risk-in-heart-disease.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/getmedia\/a54598f9-e091-4637-b2be-aeed4244bf1e\/Reducing-risk-in-heart-disease.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/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:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/kristie-cocotis\/\" 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>Don\u2019t wait to be diagnosed with heart disease before you look for heart disease programs. There are various risk factors for heart disease, and 90% of Australians have at least one of them (Source: Heart Research Australia). These risk factors include: Smoking\u00a0 Cholesterol levels High blood pressure Being inactive Living with diabetes Being overweight Unhealthy diet Age Gender Ethnic background&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":3096,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3095","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\/3095","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=3095"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3095\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3708,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3095\/revisions\/3708"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3096"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3095"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3095"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3095"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}