Improve your health and wellbeing at the Heart Week Expo

If you want to find out how to keep your heart healthy, head to the Sunshine Coast Heart Week Expo from 9am to noon on Saturday, April 29 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 health and wellbeing and shines a spotlight on Australia’s heart health.

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

Community Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said council had partnered with the health and wellbeing sector to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during Heart Week.

“The Heart Week Expo offers a rare opportunity for people to hear first-hand from some of the region’s most respected specialists,” Cr McKay said.

One of the guest speakers is Associate Professor Chris Askew, Head of the VasoActive Research Group and Senior Research Fellow, USC.

Associate Professor Askew said Heart Week provided an opportunity to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases which are responsible for more deaths than any other cause.

“Cardiovascular disease contributes substantially to the overall burden of disease worldwide,” he said.

“Some of our research projects looked at the effect of combining exercise and vascular surgery to improve microvascular function in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

“I encourage the community to come along and learn more at the Heart Health talks on April 29.”

In Village Park there will be more than 20 exhibitors, including free vascular health checks by USC, people can join in Heart Foundation walking, bike rides, Tai Chi, yoga, massages.

Kim McCosker from 4 Ingredients will make a special appearance to demonstrate healthy cooking.

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.

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

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