Australia’s largest private health fund, Medibank Private, is urging Australians to make some healthy heart resolutions this new year.
Medibank Private has worked with its alliance partner, the National Heart Foundation, to set out three simple New Year’s resolutions for a healthy 2004:
Quit smoking – set a date to quit, and call Quitline for help (131 848);
Be active – aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days; and
Weight management – balance kilojoule intake with energy expenditure and enjoy healthy eating.
Medibank Private Managing Director, George Savvides, said that some simple lifestyle changes can help put people back in charge of their health.
“The new year is a great time for people to make some healthy lifestyle changes to help them feel better, and live life to the full,” he said.
Mr Savvides said such changes can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
“Medibank Private expects to pay out more than $170 million in benefits for cardiac treatments for the 2004 financial year. Simple lifestyle changes have the potential to dramatically reduce the incidence and cost of cardiac disease to the Australian community,” he said.
Medibank Private’s alliance partner, the National Heart Foundation of Australia, says many cardiac incidents are preventable by adopting a healthier lifestyle.
Principal Executive Officer of the National Heart Foundation, Dr Lyn Roberts, said it is never too late to start leading a healthy life. Major risk factors such as tobacco smoking, physical inactivity and being overweight are still major problems for many Australians.
“The new year is a popular time for people wanting to start living a healthy life. It is important that people commit to realistic and achievable New Year’s resolutions to be healthy as an everyday way of life.”
For more information about heart health visit www.heartfoundation.com.au