Women’s Health Week 2022, Commit to Quit.

Did you know that just a few cigarettes a day, social smoking, or exposure to second-hand smoke increases your risk of heart disease?

The use of nicotine and tobacco products increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by damaging the arteries of the heart, causing the build-up of plaque and development of blood clots, thereby restricting blood flow and eventually leading to heart attacks and strokes. The risk of heart attack for smokers can be twice as high as someone who does not smoke.

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health and your heart!

Some benefits that you can experience when you quit smoking include:

  • Your family and friends will no longer be at risk from your second-hand smoke
  • Your sense of taste and smell may improve
  • Exercising will become easier
  • Your fertility levels will improve
  • Your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby will also increase
  • You will save money.

What happens to your body when you quit smoking:

  • During the first 24 hours, your heart rate will slow, and your blood pressure will become more stable.
  • After the first day, your nicotine and carbon monoxide levels will have dropped, and oxygen will be reaching your heart and muscles more easily.
  • Within one week your sense of taste and smell may have improved.
  • Within three months your lungs will be recovering, getting better at removing mucus, tar and dust, and you will be coughing or wheezing less, plus circulation to your hands and feet will be improving.
  • After six months you’ll notice your stress levels are likely to have dropped, and your lungs are much clearer.
  • After one year your lungs will be healthier and stronger, and breathing much easier than if you’d kept smoking.
  • Within two to five years your risk of heart disease will have dropped significantly and will continue to do so the longer you continue to not smoke.
  • After 15 years your risk of heart attack and stroke will be similar to that of someone who has never smoked.

Women in paddock holding hands up like hearts

Commit to Quit

See your GP or contact the Quitline 13 78 48 (13QUIT) for help and support to make a commitment to your heart, quit smoking and reduce your risk of heart disease or heart attack.

Heart Support Australia Peer Support Groups & Free Membership

Experiencing a heart event increases your risk of having another. Your mental health, social interactions with people, and participation in activities play a huge role in your recovery and improving your quality of life. It is important to avoid isolation and make sure you are connecting with family, friends and support groups with your peers to help reduce your risks of a secondary heart event.

Visit here to find out more about Heart Support Australia Peer Support Groups and free membership.

Women’s Health Week 2022, Get Active, Eat Healthy, Reduce Your Risks.

Being inactive and/or overweight are two of the most common lifestyle risk factors associated with heart disease for women. Women living a sedentary lifestyle significantly increase their risk of health issues including weight gain, high blood pressure, blood clots, stroke, heart attack and other heart related problems. Taking some steps to become more active, engage in regular physical exercise and establish healthy eating habits has many benefits for your overall physical health and mental wellbeing but especially for the health of your heart.

Get Active, Reduce Your Risk

Incorporate physical activity into your everyday routine – this doesn’t mean you have to be at the gym at 5am!! But rather, by making small changes that are likely to become good habits, you will be on your way to a healthy heart lifestyle. Walking* is a form of aerobic exercise and has great benefits for your heart health. Aim for 20-30 minutes of walking or approximately eight thousand steps every day to help reduce your risk.

  • Park further away from your work or get off public transport a stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.
  • Opt to take the stairs instead of the lift or escalator.
  • Enjoy a walk during your lunch hour.
  • Go for an evening walk instead of watching TV on the couch.

*Walking may not be for you for a variety of reasons. Check with your GP for a safe and effective alternative that is just right for you.

Colourful, Healthy Food

Healthy Eating

Three in five Australian women are overweight or obese putting them at risk of developing heart disease. Combine your new daily physical activity with healthy eating habits to help further reduce your risk. Refrain from adding salt and sugar to your foods and drinks, enjoy a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, and try seasoning with herbs and spices. We recommend including the Mediterranean Diet into your weekly menu to assist with healthier living. Your heart and your tastebuds will thank you!

Always check with your GP before embarking on a weight loss journey or starting a new exercise program for guidance and information.

Heart Support Australia Peer Support Groups & Free Membership

Experiencing a heart event increases your risk of having another. Your mental health, social interactions with people, and participation in activities play a huge role in your recovery and improving your quality of life. It is important to avoid isolation and make sure you are connecting with family, friends and support groups with your peers to help reduce your risks of a secondary heart event.

Visit here to find out more about Heart Support Australia Peer Support Groups and free membership.

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