Public Health: Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases in Australia

This discussion board post focuses on the management and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in the context of Australian public health. It emphasizes the importance of managing blood pressure, cholesterol, stress, weight, and depression, as well as quitting smoking and managing diabetes to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders. The post highlights lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity, a healthy diet (including the DASH diet), and reducing salt and alcohol intake. It also discusses the higher prevalence of coronary heart disease among Indigenous Australians and the need for targeted health policies and strategies. Furthermore, it touches on the role of medication, stress management techniques, and professional counseling in preventing and managing cardiovascular issues, advocating for a holistic approach to cardiovascular health.

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MANAGEMENT OF BLOOD
PRESSURE:
• It is important to know the blood pressures as too high
blood pressure can increase the chance of cardiovascular
disorders. Two types of pressures are present.
• Systolic pressure which the the pressure when the heart
beats between the pumping of blood
• Diastolic pressure which is the pressure when the heart is
at rest between the beats
• Important to consult with the doctor and check the
pressure during frequent visits, discuss what the healthy
target should be (Tully et al., 2015)
• Regular physical activity is important with a healthy
eating plan
• Losing of weight if obese or overweight as this will help
in lowering of blood pressure
• Taking of medications that help in maintaining the blood
pressure
• Reduction of salt intake as it helps in reducing both the
forms of the pressure
• Taking of DASH diet which are the Dietary Approaches
to Stop Hypertension like having a diet rich in
vegetables, low fat dairy foods, fruits, nuts, whole grains,
fish, chicken and lean meat.
• Limiting the taking of alcohol as there is high association
between blood pressure and alcohol
QUITTING SMOKING:
• Risk of smokers to develop heart disorders is two to four
times higher than that of the non-smokers to develop
such disorders
• Quitting smoking not only improves health of own but
also of the loved and dear members of the family
MANAGEMENT OF DEPRESSION:
• Depression has been intricately linked with the
cardiovascular disorders (Briggs et al., 2016)
• It is important for the management of depression to
lessen the chances of cardiovascular disorders
• Professionals and counsellors can help individuals
suffering from depression with different therapies that
can help them to relieve depression and reduce chances
of cardiovascular disorders
References:
• Briggs, A. M., Cross, M. J., Hoy, D. G., Sànchez-Riera, L.,
Blyth, F. M., Woolf, A. D., & March, L. (2016). Musculoskeletal
health conditions represent a global threat to healthy aging: a
report for the 2015 World Health Organization world report on
ageing and health. The Gerontologist, 56(Suppl_2), S243-
S255.
• Charlson, F. J., & Erskine, H. E. (2015). Burden of mental and
substance use disorders in Indigenous Australians and
Oceania. Australasian psychiatry, 23(6_suppl), 13-16.
• Katzenellenbogen, J. M., Woods, J. A., Teng, T. H. K., &
Thompson, S. C. (2015). Atrial fibrillation in the Indigenous
populations of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the
United States: a systematic scoping review. BMC
cardiovascular di
• Tully, P. J., Winefield, H. R., Baker, R. A., Denollet, J.,
Pedersen, S. S., Wittert, G. A., & Turnbull, D. A. (2015).
Depression, anxiety and major adverse cardiovascular and
cerebrovascular events in patients following coronary artery
bypass graft surgery: a five year longitudinal cohort
study. BioPsychoSocial medicine, 9(1), 14.
MANAGEMENT OF STRESS:
• Consistent stress and anger can cause damaging effects
that might lead to stroke and heart attacks
• Stress can be managed by the learning of the effective
relaxation techniques or asking for help when feeling
overwhelmed
• Health behavioural specialists can be consulted.
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENTS OF
WEIGHT AND UNDERTAKING
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
• Management of the weight and being physically active
are two of the most significant ways for preventing and
managing cardiovascular disorders
• Individuals need to discuss with doctors if they are facing
issues with weight loss and need more ideas on the types
of physical exercises
• Regular physical activity help in the lowering of the
blood pressure and the cholesterol levels and even
reduction of the body fat
• Physical activities are part of rehabilitation if heart attack
or stroke have already occurred MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES:
• Individuals who are already diagnosed with diabetes
have higher chances for developing cardiovascular
disorders
• Researchers state that there might be connection between
hormones that affect diabetes with an increased risks for
depression
• Therefore, such individuals need to be more careful and
consult with healthcare professionals to undertake
precautions
• Intake of aspirin: (Charlson et al., 2015)
• Evidences have shown that low dose aspirin can help in
reduction of the chances of heart attack and stroke for
those women who are over 65 years old
MANAGEMENT OF CHOLESTEROL:
• High cholesterol levels are also associated with higher
chances of cardiovascular disorders
• When cholesterol levels are higher than 6.0 or more,
there is importance of the vulnerable individuals to take
proper actions for reduction of the chances
• Gradual building of the cholesterol in the inner linings
of the arteries of the heart are the main cause for the
occurrence of the heart disorder
• Bad cholesterol might build up in the arteries, narrowing
them and making it harder for the blood to flow
• Clogged arteries might result in lack of oxygen in the
heart causing heart attack of stroke
• Maintaining of the weight, preventing weight gain are
integral part of the management, healthy foods and
regular exercises are very important in managing
cholesterol levels (Katzenellenbogen et al., 2015)
• Eating of less saturated fats which are found from
animal products, coconut oil as well as palm oil
• Use low fat dairy products, leaner meat, limitation of the
processed foods
• Using of mono-saturated fats by the including of the
nuts, seeds, oils and margarines
• Fish and other sources taking of the omega 3 fats help in
reduction of triglycerides and improve cardiovascular
health
• Including fibre rich foods as it helps in lowering of the
LDL cholesterol, taking of fruit and vegetables oat bran,
rice bran, barley, legumes, rolled oats, muesli, fruit and
vegetables
• Including of plant sterol which are present in vegetable
oils, in plant foods and are helpful in reducing
cholesterol