180,000 people currently live with heart disease nationwide. That’s more than one in 23 adults. Almost one in three deaths in New Zealand are causes by cardiovascular disease. February is Heart Health Awareness Month in New Zealand, a time to raise awareness of our country’s single biggest killer.
The general term ‘heart disease’ describes any type of disorder that affects the heart. Heart disease remains the number one cause of death and a major cause of disability and other health problems in New Zealand. A New Zealander dies from heart disease every 90 minutes and many of these deaths are premature and preventable.
The Heart Foundation is New Zealand’s heart charity. They say a heart-healthy lifestyle involves healthy eating, maintaining a normal body weight, enjoying regular physical activity, and not smoking.
Healthy eating includes a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats, low in salt, sugar, and processed foods.
“Making healthy choices can reduce the risks of developing heart disease,” says Dr Anna Skinner, the Ministry of Health’s chief clinical advisor in primary care.
She says that though there are some factors you can’t change that may impact your risk of getting heart disease, including family history, age, sex and ethnicity, the risks of heart disease are reduced in the long term by making healthy choices.
“It’s a no-brainer that we want our hearts to continue pumping properly. Being aware of the risk factors, and how to reduce them, is key to good health,” she says.
Urgent Work That Saves Lives
Heart Foundation medical director Dr Gerry Devlin says their work has never been more urgent. “Outcomes for those affected by heart attacks and other heart conditions have greatly improved thanks to Heart Foundation-funded work, but there is still much to be done.
“Funds raised help us to make a big difference whether it is supporting research that results in improved treatments and medications or investing in overseas training for our young cardiologists so we can offer world-class care in New Zealand.”
Gerry says significant gaps remain in research, diagnosis and care of women with heart disease. “It is an area we are investing in, on a national and international scale, and we hope this research will make a major impact on women’s cardiovascular health.”
The Big Heart Appeal on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February 2025 will see volunteers take to the streets and raise life-saving funds for vital heart research. The Heart Foundation has invested $95 million into heart research since 1968. Donating is one way to make a difference.
Knowing the warning signs of a possible heart attack is crucial. Dr Gerry says the signs are sometimes subtle. “If someone is short of breath, feeling off colour, fatigued and has a sore arm, chest or upper back, they may shrug it off or try to push through it,” he says.
The Heart Foundation provides an indicative free online heart health assessment. Visit myheartcheck.org.nz to receive an estimate of your heart age and tips to help improve your heart health.
