Celebrate World Heart Day: Essential Tips for Lifelong Heart Wellness

Every year, on September 29^th, the world marks World Heart Day. This year’s theme, “Use Heart, Know Heart,” emphasises the importance of understanding and actively managing your heart health.

This month’s blog post will focus on the benefits of maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and how doing so helps promote optimal heart health.

Understanding Blood Pressure and Its Importance

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Known as the “silent killer,” hypertension can go undetected for years while causing significant damage to the heart and blood vessels. Regular monitoring of blood pressure is crucial for early detection and effective management.

Here are some practical tips to maintain healthy blood pressure:

1. Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help maintain healthy blood pressure. Check out previous WholeLife blog posts for delicious heart healthy recipes like the Tuna and Avocado Quinoa Salad | WholeLife.
2. Physical Activity: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise weekly. Activities like walking, cycling, and swimming can help lower blood pressure and strengthen the heart. You can read more about the guidelines of physical activity recommendations by age here.
3. Stress Management: Chronic stress can elevate blood pressure. Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to manage stress effectively.
4. Limit Alcohol and Avoid Tobacco: We all know by now, excessive alcohol and tobacco cigarettes or vapes aren’t beneficial for healthy blood pressure. Some other social ideas for catching up with friends that don’t involve these elements:

• Enjoying a picnic platter in the park, packed with heart healthy foods like wholegrain crackers, hummus, veggie sticks, nuts and fresh fruit.
• Going on a morning hike over one of Australia’s spectacular coastlines and enjoying a takeaway coffee on your walk.

Utilising Pharmacy Services for Heart Health

Pharmacies offer a range of services that can support your journey towards better heart health:

1. Blood Pressure Monitoring: WholeLife pharmacies provide convenient blood pressure monitoring services. Trained pharmacy team members can measure your blood pressure, with pharmacists providing professional advice where needed.
2. Medication Management: Our knowledgeable pharmacists can help you manage your medications, ensuring you take them correctly and understand their effects.
3. Lifestyle Counselling: We offer personalised counselling on diet, exercise, and smoking cessation, providing valuable tips and resources to support your healthy lifestyle changes.
4. Educational Resources: Pharmacies often provide brochures, workshops, and online resources about heart health. These materials can empower you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about your health.

Leveraging Technology for Heart Health

In the digital age, technology offers innovative solutions to monitor and manage heart health. Wearable devices and mobile apps can track your physical activity, heart rate and sleep, providing real-time data to help you stay on top of your health goals. These tools can also remind you to take your medications, exercise, and monitor your dietary intake.

The Future of Screening in Pharmacy

In the near future, professionally trained pharmacists in some states with full scope services will play a crucial role in heart disease screening within community pharmacies. This service will include assessing risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lifestyle habits. This proactive approach, facilitated by the pharmacists’ comprehensive training, empowers individuals to take charge of their heart health with a personalised management plan to achieve their health goals.

This is an exciting new chapter that will be rolled out over the next few months and years, so watch this space for news regarding expanded services in pharmacy.  Check here to see what services may be available in your local WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods.

Act Today

World Heart Day is an opportunity to take proactive steps towards better heart health. By incorporating healthy habits into your daily routine and utilising available pharmacy services, you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and improve your overall well-being. Remember, a healthy heart is the key to a healthy life.

References:

World Heart Day Federation. (2024) Retrieved from: https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/

Australian Heart Foundation (2022, December 12^th): Alcohol and heart health: your top questions answered. Retrieved from: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/blog/alcohol-and-heart-health

Heart Foundation New Zealand. (2024). Managing high blood pressure. Retrieved from: https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/wellbeing/managing-risk/blood-pressure-and-your-heart/managing-high-blood-pressure

Queensland Government. (2024, June 6^th). About the pilots. Retrieved from www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/community-pharmacy-pilots/about