Improve your health and wellbeing at the Heart Week Expo

If you want to find out how to keep your heart healthy, make sure you head to the Sunshine Coast Heart Week Expo from 9am to noon on Saturday, April 29.

It will be held at Village Park, adjacent to Bragg Street and opposite the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital.

National Heart Week (April 30 to May 6) is an initiative of the National Heart Foundation which aims to promote heart health and shines a spotlight on Australia’s heart health.

In 2017, the theme is about the importance of diagnosing and treating high blood pressure.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said to help maintain our ranking as the healthiest region in Queensland, council had once again partnered with the health and well-being sector to raise the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during Heart Week.

“With the recent opening of the Coast’s new Sunshine Coast University Hospital, it is fitting this year’s event will be held in the heart of the Birtinya health and medical precinct,” Mayor Jamieson said.

There will be more than 20 health and well-being organisations at the expo, sharing a wide range of information and knowledge about how people from every age can improve their heart health and general well-being.

Starting at 9am, there will be an opportunity to hear first-hand heart talks from specialists, including Professor Kim Greaves, Director of Cardiac Research, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Services and Associate Professor Chris Askew, Head of the VasoActive Research Group and Senior Research Fellow, University of the Sunshine Coast to name a few.

USC will also offer free vascular health checks, people can join in Heart Foundation walking, bike rides, Tai Chi, yoga, massages and a special appearance by Kim McCosker from 4 Ingredients demonstrating healthy cooking.

And children don’t miss out with free face painting and a jumping castle.

Kim McCosker from 4 Ingredients said she was delighted to share her tips about the importance of eating healthy to maintain strength, energy, and a healthy immune system.

“Healthy eating starts at home as there is no healthier kitchen than your own. It's where you can choose your ingredients, the quality and the quantity, to ensure the food you eat is full of nutrients to fuel a happier body,” Kim said.

“My cooking demonstration at the Heart Week Expo will use ingredients that are fresh, natural and nutrient-dense. Cooking shouldn't be a chore.

“It can be kept simple and by choosing the freshest of ingredients, flavour will be in abundance.

“On the Sunshine Coast, we are blessed to have local growers share their produce at farmers markets and selected grocers.

“Not only will you benefit in cost and quality to purchase local and fresh produce, but your body will reward you in health.”

There will be free Heart Week Expo event parking* (off Shine Court) from 9am to noon. And by attending the Expo, the community can enter the draw to win some great prizes. *Please note, other health precinct parking conditions apply.

In the event of wet weather, the event and stalls in Village Park will be cancelled. However, the Heart Health talks will go ahead at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute as planned.

Sunshine Coast Heart Week Expo Fast Facts

Saturday, April 29: 9am to noon

Village Park, adjacent to Bragg Street

Opposite the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital

Program

Heart health talks at Sunshine Coast Health Institute Auditorium

9am:   Mayor Mark Jamieson to open Heart Week 2017

9.15am:  Guest speaker Professor Kim Greaves, Director of Cardiac Research, Sunshine Coast University Hospital

10am:   Guest speaker Associate Professor Chris Askew, Head of the VasoActive Research Group and Senior Research Fellow, University of the Sunshine Coast

10.45am:  Guest speaker Dr Rohan Poulter, Director of Cardiology, Sunshine Coast University Hospital

11.30am: Dr Hattie Wright, Senior Lecturer, Nutrition and Dietetics, University of the Sunshine Coast.

Other activities:

9am-noon: Free bike rides by TravelSmart, yoga, Thai Chi, stalls, massages, jumping castle, face painting and more.

9.30am: Heart Foundation walk

10am:  Healthy cooking demonstration by Kim McCosker from 4 Ingredients. Proudly supported by Stockland

Visit council’s website www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au and search ‘health and wellbeing’ to download a Heart Week brochure and find out the range of activities and exhibitors at the Expo.