Help stop New Zealand’s biggest killer

Monday February 9, 2014
Help stop New Zealand’s biggest killer

New Zealanders are being urged to help arrest the country’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation during its Heart Week annual appeal, which starts today.

Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in New Zealand, accounting for more than 30 per cent of lives lost annually.

The shocking reality is that more than one Kiwi dies from heart disease every 90 minutes and many of these deaths are premature and preventable, said Heart Foundation Medical Director Gerry Devlin.

“Thousands of families and communities continue to be torn apart by heart disease in New Zealand every year. Anyone can be impacted by heart disease – young, old, fit, unfit, men and women. It is much more prevalent than many people realise.”
Devlin says the Heart Foundation’s vision is to halt premature deaths from heart disease and stop the next generation of New Zealanders from developing heart disease.
The Heart Foundation is holding its annual appeal, Heart Week, from February 9-15. Heart Week is a time when the Heart Foundation calls for donations to support its work, and asks for Kiwis to think about their heart health.

Devlin says it is vital that New Zealanders get behind the cause because heart disease is killing more than 6500 people every year.

“We need New Zealanders up and down the country to dig deep and donate during Heart Week to support the work we do. It is time to put a stop to heart disease – New Zealand’s biggest killer.”

One person supporting the Heart Foundation this week is former top rugby league coach Graham Lowe, who has battled with heart disease since the early 1990s.

“Many people are just not aware of the toll that heart disease takes on a person, mentally and emotionally,” he says. “I think it takes a lot of courage, determination and will-power to face it.”
He says Kiwis tend to be a tough bunch of people who don’t like to ask for help.

“We’re brought up with a mentality that we’re strong and don’t need help. But doing something to look after your own body - that’s a sign of strength.”

Lowe believes people are so familiar with the terms ‘bypass’ and ‘stent’ that they think the procedures are as routine as going to the dentist.

“But you try going through bypass surgery and then telling me it’s like going to the dentist,” he says.

Lowe’s own heart problems started in the early 1990s when he took up coaching the Manly Sea Eagles in Sydney. He was under massive pressure to win games.

“I thought I’d been a little bit more tired than usual. I was taking the rubbish bins out one day and was sweating. I climbed three stairs and started to feel odd.”

He’ll always remember what the cardiologist told him that day. “He said the good news is you’ve never smoked a cigarette and that’s a good thing. The bad news is you need a triple bypass. I couldn’t believe it.”

Since then, he has experienced numerous heart events, the most recent in October last year, and had countless stents inserted.

He is passionate about sharing his story and helping other people learn about heart disease, its causes and symptoms.

“While heart disease can be devastating, if you get onto it early enough and follow the guidelines, it need not be devastating. Even if you have the slightest concern, you should get it checked out. Not tomorrow, not the next day, but that minute.”
This Friday 13 and Saturday 14 February, an army of volunteers will be taking to the streets nationwide to collect donations.
Money raised will enable the Heart Foundation to continue funding research, helping people make healthy living choices and running a wide range of programmes throughout the country.
Everyone who donates will be given a red felt heart or heart sticker so they can ‘Wear their Heart on their Sleeve’ to help raise awareness of heart disease.

You can make a donation to the Heart Foundation by:
TXT: Send 'donate' to 2449
PHONE: Call us on 0800 830 100
ONLINE: Go to www.heartfoundation.org.nz/donate

ENDS

About the Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation is the charity that works to stop New Zealanders dying prematurely from heart disease. It is committed to promoting heart health through funding vital research, promoting heart healthy lifestyles and advancing cardiac care.

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