World Hypertension Day 17 May

High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease, which is why Heart Research Australia supports World Hypertension Day on 17 May, to raise awareness about this ‘silent killer’.

“Termed the silent killer because often there are no symptoms or signs of high blood pressure, most individuals do not feel sick or are aware that their blood pressure is elevated. Often high blood pressure goes untreated until another medical condition such as a heart attack presents itself”, says Floyd Larsen, CEO Heart Research Australia.

“The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is by having it checked regularly by a health professional, thereby reducing your chances of developing or suffering from heart disease”.

There are several ways that you can reduce your chances of developing high blood pressure: 

•Have you blood pressure checked regularly 

•Don’t  smoke

•Limit your alcohol intake

•Include at least 30 minutes of exercise every day

•Limit your salt intake

•Follow a healthy, well-balanced diet

High blood pressure can be contributed to many factors, such as unhealthy eating habits and bad lifestyle choices, but in some cases it can present itself by no fault of your own, such as during pregnancy. 

Heart Research Australia is funding a study into the effects pre-eclampsia has on mothers after they have given birth.  Pre-eclampsia affects 5-10% of all pregnancies and is associated with high blood pressure and impaired kidney function in the second half of pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal death and disability and carries lifelong implications should the mother survive (such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease). 

Pre-eclampsia is thought to be caused by proteins, derived from the placenta, that cause distress in the blood vessels of the mother. The study investigates whether this specific protein contributes to the deterioration of the heart where it fails to circulate blood around the body which can either occur in the last month of pregnancy and up to five months after delivery of the baby.

“Heart disease can affect us all, and it is only through life-saving research like this which Heart Research Australia supports and funds that we can work towards reducing the incidence of heart disease amongst all Australians. By supporting international awareness campaigns such a World Hypertension Day we are contributing to the fight against heart disease and raising awareness of the risk factors, such as high blood pressure” added Floyd.  

For further information about the risk factors for heart disease visit www.heartresearch.com.au and donate to towards the life-saving research Heart Research Australia supports.

ENDS

High Blood Pressure Stats:

•Over 3.7 million Australians aged 25 years + (30%) have high blood pressure.

•In a recent survey 1 in 2 people didn’t know their blood pressure levels prior to their check.

•51 million prescriptions were supplied to lower blood pressure in 2008.

•90% of adults have one modifiable risk factor for stroke and heart disease, while 64% have three or more.

•Salt intake impacts blood pressure. 75% of the salt we consume comes from processed food.

I.Sources:

II.AJHW 2012, Australia’s Health 2012, Australia’s Health series no.13 Catno AUS 156. Canberra  AJHW

III.Unpublished. Know your numbers Evaluation Report. Part A, Monash University 2013.

IV.AJHW 2012. Australia’s Health 2012, Australia’s Health Series no13. Cat.no.AUS 156. Canberra AJHW

V.NVDPA Guidelines for the management of absolute cardiovascular disease risk 2012

VI.AWASH http://www.awash.org.au

For further information or to schedule an interview, contact Michelle Kearney, Communications Manager, Heart Research Australia at michelle@heartresearch.com.au or Tel: (02) 9436 0056

Should an acronym be essential due to space constraints, kindly use “HROz” when referring to the organisation.

About Heart Research Australia – www.heartresearch.com.au 

Heart Research Australia raises funds for research into the diagnoses, treatment and prevention of Australia’s biggest killer – heart disease. Founded in 1986 as the North Shore Heart Research Foundation, the idea was to fund first-stage, 'out of the notebook' research that would have never progressed to clinical trials without the help of the community. Twenty -six years later, rebranded as Heart Research Australia, we strive to support life-saving research that benefits all Australians.