Cardiologist’s message for Improving our heart health

LGH Cardiologist Dr Brian Herman. Photo: The Examiner/Phillip Biggs

September, 2021

Article from The Examiner, by Nikita McGuire, September 30, 2021

Highlighting the importance of heart health is the mission of LGH cardiologist Brian Herman in the lead up to the Run and Walk for your Heart event being held on Sunday October 3.

The five-kilometre run is not only just about getting active, but also raises awareness and funds for the Clifford Craig Foundation for research into heart disease.

Dr Herman said there are key factors that contribute to the healthiness of an individual's heart.

"In Tasmania, we have the highest rate of obesity, the second highest rate of smoking and the third highest rate of physical inactivity," Dr Herman said.

"These are all major contributors to heart disease. It appears that the prevalence of mortality is probably about 15 to 20 per cent higher in Tassie, compared to the heart health of other states in the country.

"Tassie has a way to go in terms of improving our heart health,” he said.

A report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on Wednesday showed that there were 327,000 emergency department presentations with cardiovascular disease in 2019-2020.

Dr Herman also said the effects of COVID on heart health assessments and follow ups was significant.

“When COVID first hit the state people were not as willing to go to their doctor, so this led to a huge decrease in the amount of follow up visits.

"The interesting part of heart disease is that it's not visible. The symptoms are not always apparent, and 99 per cent of the time cardiac patients may feel fine. In the blink of an eye someone can go from 'I feel fine' to 'I need urgent help'.

“So it's important to make sure people have an active lifestyle, that they don't smoke and that they are aware of their family history."

Dr Herman said that the level of advancement in the prevention of cardiovascular disease is quite remarkable.

"We have incredible tools and machines at our disposal to prevent and detect issues with the heart before they get too far," he said.

"However we know that certain things make certain people more at risk than others. If you are a smoker and your father passed away at 40 due to a heart attack, you are certainly more at risk.

“So it's important to look at those factors of each individual."

The Run and Walk for Your Heart Event will be held Sunday October 3 starting at UTAS Stadium Precinct at 10am.