Listening time: 2 mins
This Women's Health Week, together with Her Heart, we’re encouraging all women to talk to their immediate family, to find out if yours have a history of heart disease.
A family history of heart disease can increase your own risk of it. And it’s important information to pass on to your doctor.
Her Heart has an easy family tree to download, to help you get the conversation flowing.
A major Australian study published this year estimated that death from heart disease is almost three times higher in current smokers versus people who had never smoked.
And it’s not just heavy smokers who are in the danger zone. Smoking 25+ cigarettes a day increases the risk of dying from heart disease almost five-fold, but even ‘light’ smoking – 4-6 cigarettes per day – doubles the risk.
If you smoke, Quit has free tools to help you kick the habit, as well as a helpline and lots of information and advice.
Breasts come in all shapes and sizes – what’s more, the way they look and the way they feel may change throughout your life as much Melbourne’s weather!
Being on the lookout for any unusual changes is one of the best things you can do for your breast health and protect yourself from breast cancer. So do you know what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to breast health?
Women between the ages of 50-74 years are also recommended to have a screening mammogram every two years. Women aged 40-49 or 75+ years can talk to their doctor to see if screening is recommended for them.
There is no right or wrong way to examine your own breasts. But if you’re wanting some extra help in detecting changes early that might be breast cancer, we have a fact sheet to help you be more ‘breast aware’. While nine out of 10 changes aren’t breast cancer, it’s important to be aware of any changes so you can have them investigated as soon as possible.
All the gentle guidance and information you need is right here.
Today’s Facebook Live video is all about healthy eating and reducing your risk of heart disease. Jo Roberts from Jean Hailes catches up with Accredited Practising Dietitian Karen Inge from the Institute of Health and Fitness, and Nutrition Advisor for the National Heart Foundation, Sian Armstrong, to learn more about reducing your risk of heart disease through healthy eating.
The natural colours in plant foods provide our bodies with disease-fighting antioxidants. Different colours mean they have different types of antioxidants, each with unique benefits.
Often, the deeper the colour, the more protective power it contains.
The bright orange and deep yellow of carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin provide one type of antioxidant.
Red foods such as tomatoes provide a different disease-fighting antioxidant.
Green vegetables, such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and blue and purple foods, like blueberries, eggplant and plums, each have their own antioxidant armies within.
So, to best harness their power, arm yourself with all of them. Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, covering all the colours of the rainbow, over the course of each day.
Research shows that eating fish even just once per week is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. But as the Heart Foundation says, if you bump this up to 2-3 times a week, the better protected you (and your heart) will be.
To help get you there, Jean Hailes naturopath Sandra Villella together with Marley Spoon have created this Grilled barramundi recipe. It features a roast potato, fennel and almond salad to serve on the side, because vegies and the ‘good’ fats found in olive oil and almonds are heart-healthy too.
We find out what the deal is, and whether you still need to be popping that pill, or putting fish on your dish.
Spread good health and self-care this week by downloading this e-Card as our gift just for you, or share it with friends on your social media channels. Don't forget to use the hashtag #WomensHealthWeek.
BreastScreen Australia is the national breast cancer screening program. It invites women aged between 50-74 for a free mammogram every two years. For more information or to book an appointment, phone 13 20 50 or visit their website.
Sleep apnoea is a common disorder. However, because its symptoms occur while you sleep, it can be easily overlooked, or mistaken for straight-up tiredness. Learn more about sleep apnoea and it’s links to chronic diseases such as heart disease.
Jean Hailes for Women's Health is the national organisation that proudly presents Women's Health Week every year in September. Subscribe to our email updates and you'll receive a monthly wrap-up of women's health articles, the latest research, recipes, videos and more.
