Heart health

Heart Disease is one of Australia’s largest health problems. In 2018, Heart Disease claimed the life of one person every 13 minutes.*  Someone in Australia is hospitalised for Heart Disease approximately every minute.**   Heart Disease includes medical emergencies such as heart attack and stroke.

Key risk factors that contribute to Heart Disease are largely preventable, including:

• smoking,
• poor diet and exercise,
• obesity,
• high blood pressure, and
• high cholesterol.

If you would like to know more about your risks, talk to your local Pharmacy 777 Pharmacist about our Health Check service.

Do you know your numbers? Ask us to measure your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can be an important early indicator for some heart health risks. You may not know if you have high blood pressure.

"There are no obvious symptoms - having a heart attack can be the first sign. Most alarmingly 9 out of 10 people diagnosed with high cholesterol and 7 out of 10 people diagnosed with high blood pressure didn't know they had it." Dr Robert Grenfell, National Director of Cardiovascular Health at the Heart Foundation.

The need for blood pressure and heart health support has never been clearer.

At Pharmacy 777, we aim to increase positive health outcomes for the community. As part of our professional healthcare service we are encouraging everyone to visit their local Pharmacy 777 Pharmacist for a blood pressure check.

Our Pharmacists can also support you to measure your Blood Pressure in the comfort of your home with your own machine*. Here are some handy tips: 

• Ask your Pharmacist or GP to check your technique or assist with your reading 
• Take readings before medication, food and vigorous exercise 
• Don’t take readings if you’re feeling stressed, uncomfortable or in pain 
• Sit quietly and comfortably for 5 minutes prior to doing your reading 
• Sit with your feet flat on the floor and your back and arm supported 
• Don’t smoke or drink caffeine 30 minutes before a reading

Talk to your 777 Pharmacist for further support.

*Approved machines are available for purchase at all Pharmacy 777 pharmacies and may be subject to Private Health Insurance rebate.

If you have recently been diagnosed with a heart condition or you are looking for ongoing heart health support, we encourage you to talk to our Pharmacists about our personalised medication support services or talk to your GP or visit the Heart Foundation website.

Would you recognise a heart attack?

Learn the warning signs of a heart attack and reduce your risk of having one.

Heart attacks are more common than you may realise. The warning signs vary from person to person and can be different if you've experienced one before.

Click here to download or order a Heart Attack Action Plan & Fact Sheet  - available in 12 languages

Remember, it's OK to call 000.

Knowing the warning signs of heart attack and acting quickly by calling Triple Zero (000)* can reduce damage to your heart and increase your chance of survival.

It could save your life, or the life of someone you love.

If you experience the warning signs of heart attack for 10 minutes, or if they are severe or get progressively worse, call Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance.

If calling Triple Zero doesn’t work on your phone, try 112.
 

Would you recognise the signs of stroke?

A stroke can happen to anyone at any time. Learn the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke and act fast:

• Face Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
• Arms Can they lift both arms?
• Speech Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
• Time Is critical. If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away. 

While you wait for an ambulance, there are some things you can do to help - follow the instructions given to you while you're on the phone. 
Click here to see further information from the Stroke Foundation.

If calling Triple Zero doesn’t work on your phone, try 112.

 

What can I do to manage my risk?

There are a number of screening tests available to manage your risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack or stroke. To detect symptoms early and understand your level of risk, talk to your GP or Pharmacist about blood pressure monitoring or getting a Health Check. 

Pharmacy 777's Health Check service is designed to identify some early warning signs for chronic disease and help you stay healthy. You’ll receive instant results and an assessment of your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease over the next 5 years. Find out more:
 

*Australian Bureau of Statistics 2019, Causes of Death 2018, cat. no. 3303.0, September
**Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2017, Australian Health Expenditure – demographics and diseases: hospital admitted patient expenditure 2004-05 to 2012-13, Supplementary tables, Health Expenditure and Welfare series no. 59, cat. No. HWE 69.