Prioritising diet, early intervention key to reducing heart attacks says Griffith dietitian

The figures show that people living in the Riverina are admitted to hospital for heart attacks at a rate of 21.5 per 10,000 people. This is well above the state average of 14.5.

The Heart Foundation's Heart Health manager in NSW/ACT Anna Flynn says that coronary heart disease is largely preventable.

"Some risk factors you can't control, such as your age or a family history of heart disease. However, many risk factors for heart disease are related to your lifestyle, such as poor diet, not exercising, smoking, and being overweight or obese," Mrs Flynn said.

"These risk factors can be managed to lower your chances of developing heart disease."

Griffith accredited and practising dietitian Jessica Ammendolia says not prioritising personal health or regular health check ups could be contributing to increased risk of heart attacks in Griffith, an attitude that comes with living in a regional town.

"Women tend to have so many other stresses going on in their life that health takes a back seat," Mrs Ammendolia said.

"Men will also present much later unfortunately as they often try to struggle through health issues until they become a real problem. Which isn't always the best way.

"It is the way it is in a country town. We will always push through until something gets really bad."

Mrs Ammendolia says that if caught early however, many dietary risk factors can be positively reduced with diet changes.

"The earlier you catch something, the earlier you can control it," Mrs Ammendolia said.

"If you wait until things are at crisis point, that's when more medications are required.

"For example with high cholesterol, if we catch it early we can lower it with diet and lifestyle changes but once it gets to a certain number, even with a great diet, medications are still needed."

Mrs Ammendolia, a second generation Italian says that in her professional opinion, connecting to Griffith's Italian routes could offer the best nutritional outcomes for reducing heart related illnesses.

"The Mediterranean diet is high in fruits and veges, it's high in fibre which we know is important for lowering cholesterol and therefore reducing the risk of heart disease."

"It has very minimal processed food and less meat which means a lower intake of saturated fat which increases risk of heart disease.

"We are really lucky that we have such a big Mediterranean community here in Griffith and that a lot of families carry on with that diet."

MORE NEWS