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HEART DISEASE IN MEN
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Take this 5 minute health quiz to assess your risk for heart disease, diabetes and kidney
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Did you know that men develop heart disease 10 years earlier than women?1 DPV Health aims to raise awareness on common heart diseases and signs of stroke.
What is coronary heart disease?
Coronary heart disease is also called ischemic heart disease - the common cause of death in Australia2. It develops as plaque from cholesterol accumulating on the wall of arteries blocking the blood flow through your arteries. This eventually leads to heart attack, stroke and other vascular conditions.3
What causes heart disease?
There is no one cause of coronary heart disease4. However, knowing your risk factors and changes in your lifestyle can help prevent it from occuring. Some of the risk factors include: • whether you’re a smoker • level of your physical exercise • social isolation • your weight and • age
Knowing the signs of heart attack and stroke could save you and your loved one’s.
Signs of heart attack5
It’s important to know the warning signs so you can get the proper treatment right away:
• Chest pain or discomfort • Light-headed or faint • Shortness of breath • Unexplained tiredness • Nausea or vomiting • Pain in jaw, neck or back • Unusual anxiety, weakness or fatigue
Signs of stroke
Stroke happens when blood vessels burst and cause bleeding in your brain or when there is a lack of oxygen in your blood delivered to your brain. • Numbness in your face, arm or leg • Loss of vision or dimming vision • Trouble speaking • Shortness of breath • Confusion or trouble understanding • Difficulty in walking or loss of balance
How is heart disease treated?
There is no cure for heart disease. However, there are things you can do to live longer: • Healthy eating • Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol • Join a support program
Whom can I see if I’m concerned about heart disease?
If you’re aged 45 and over, speak to your doctor or visit DPV Health Medical Centres in Mill Park and Broadmeadows for a full medical examination.
To book an appointment call 1300 234 263 (select option 1 for medical) or visit https://dpvhealth.org.au to book online.
1Johns Hopkins Medicine, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/special-heart-risks-for-men 2Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/hsvd-facts/contents/heart-stroke-and-vascular-disease-and-subtypes/what-iscoronary-heart-disease 3Healthdirect, https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronary-heart-disease-and-atherosclerosis4Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Social Security Cardiovascular Disability Criteria. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2010. 5 Tsao CW, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, Beaton AZ, Bittencourt MS, Boehme AK, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2022;145(8):e153–e639.
THE PULSE NEWSLETTER SPRING EDITION 2022
6 tips to help your kids brush their teeth
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Dental Health
It is important to look after your child’s baby teeth because they help children eat, speak and guide the permanent teeth into position.
Toothbrushing everyday helps to remove bacteria that causes tooth decay. Toothbrushing should be done in the morning and before bed at night. Young children will need assistance to brush their teeth until they are about 8 years old.
Try using two toothbrushes: Let them hold one and one for you to brush their teeth properly. Have a go at ‘your turn, my turn’. This allows children to have some independency.
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Make it fun! You may like to sing a song or make silly noises to make your child laugh
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There are also many dental books for children. You could read them a book about the importance of brushing their teeth before they brush theirs.
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If your child doesn’t like the taste of toothpaste, start brushing their teeth without it. Then gradually introduce them to low fluoride toothpaste. There are also lots of flavours of toothpaste that your child might enjoy
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Get the rest of the family involved: many children will copy their older brothers or sisters if they are brushing their own teeth. This also shows them how to brush their teeth
Fun way to encourage your kids to brush their teeth using the brushing chart
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Try another location in your house! Your child might prefer to brush their teeth in another part of the house. It is recommended to brush their teeth near a mirror so they can see what you are doing.
