Paint the Town Red This February!
Heart disease is a blanket term for a range of conditions that cause damage to your heart. Alarmingly, it kills one Australian every 28 minutes. It is estimated that in 2020-2021, approximately 571,000 Australians over the ages of 18 had some form of heart disease, and during the first two months of 2021 alone, 1974 people lost their lives to heart disease. Sadly, heart disease is Australia’s leading cause of death, and affects families and communities around the country.
So, what exactly is heart disease? Also referred to as cardiovascular disease, this killer often refers to conditions that present as narrowed or blocked blood vessels that effect the heart’s functioning, and can lead to sever chest pain, heart attack or a stroke. There are a number of risk factors associated with heart disease, many of which you can control, which can lead to prevention. These include smoking, inactivity, obesity, poor diet choices. Ocnversely, there are a number of risk factors that are beyond your control, including your age, gender (men are at a higher risk), ethnic background and your family history.
So, what can we do to prevent the onset of heart disease? In short, we can make changes to our lifestyle choices. Give up smoking, become more active, and make healthier nutritional choices are all a great start. Also, educating your family and friends about the seriousness of heart disease can help future generations to avoid this deadly killer.
Heart Research Australia is dedicated to finding a cure for heart disease, and has claimed February as REDFEB, an opportunity to raise much needed funds in a simple way; wearing red. Heart Research Australia is encouraging people to wear red and donate, to fund research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. You can do it alone or get a team together and make it a fun event! Don your red threads and walk, run, swim, host a red themed dinner party and spread the word! The funds raised will go towards various research projects dedicated to curing heart disease.
As mentioned above, family history plays a part in your predisposition to developing heart disease, and there are a number of ways to assess your risk, based on your unique genetics. EasyDNA Australia has a range of Health and Wellbeing tests that will reveal if you are genetically geared towards developing diseases and medical conditions such as heart disease.
In line with REDFEB, EasyDNA Australia is offering 15% off a range of potentially life changing tests. For those looking at heart disease specifically, the Genetic Predisposition Test will reveal your risk of heart disease during your lifetime, allowing you to take control of your health. For those interested in a more comprehensive health overview and possible overhaul, there are a range of tests that are also discounted by 15% during February.
These include:
Celiac Disease Genetic Testing
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So, whether you start small with donning your brightest red and making a donation to REDFEB, or take charge of your health with a DNA test, February is definitely the month to see red in a good way. Share your RED on Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtags #wearredanddonate #REDFEB #HROz #researchsaveslives #heartdiseaseawareness.
Help create breakthroughs in heart disease, for yourself, and other Aussies.