National Heart Week – Don’t Get the Sits
It’s National Heart Week! The Heart Foundation is shining a spotlight on Australia’s heart health. This week's focus is on the importance of physical activity in reducing the prevalence and impact of risk factors for heart disease.
In Australia half of our community is not currently meeting the minimum daily physical activity requirements. As a partner of Heart Foundation we share these concerns about our inactivity. Our mission at HART Sport is to help everyone get active, no matter what your age or ability! Whether it’s going for a walk, kicking a ball, or playing games with the family, we want all Aussies to keep moving.
Heart Foundation Chief Medical Advisor Professor Garry Jennings said “Most Australians don’t know that physical activity is the easiest thing you can do to improve your health, and that it doesn’t have to involve going to the gym or undertaking intensive exercise.”
“It’s great if you’re doing the recommended 150 minutes per week. But people shouldn’t be put off if they are just starting, and for now they find that too much. Any physical activity is better than none at all.”
Heart Week is a great opportunity to take stock of how much physical activity we do a day. Can we build in 30 minutes a day – with the aim of reaching 60 minutes of physical activity in time. At least 30 minutes of physical activity a day can reduce your risk of heart disease by 35 per cent. Physical activity also helps reduce several risk factors including blood pressure, cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
As the supporting partner with Jump Rope for Heart we believe in the importance of being physically active from an early age. The Jump Rope program helps raise funds and keeps Aussie school kids active. Each year Jump Rope attracts more than 300,000 students, in more than 1,300 schools to participate in physical activity and develop healthy long-term habits.
“Our partnership with Heart Foundation is a relationship where we know our support is making a difference. Through research, education, and programs like Heart Week we are proud to help improve heart health of everyday Australians.” said Managing Director Greg Harten.
You are never too young or old to benefit from being physically active. Great habits are started young, and getting started is the first step to reaching your goals. To find out more visit www.heartfoundation.org.au this Heart Week and join the conversation.
To read more about movement as medicine visit here.