Tasmania to hold the key for heart research

Tasmania to hold the key for heart research

Tasmania and South Australia have taken out top stakes for Australia's most unhealthy state and territory, according to the recent National Health Survey.

Tasmania and South Australia have taken out top stakes for Australia's most unhealthy state and territory, according to the recent National Health Survey.

Tasmanians are particularly sick with the highest prevalence of cardiovascular disease (22.8%) and high blood pressure (30.4%) and the second highest ranking for smoking (23.2%).

Despite the state's poor health, some of the most talented researchers are working in Tasmania to improve cardiovascular health with the Heart Foundation today announcing funding of $168,713 for cardiovascular health research in Tasmania in 2013.

"These Tasmanian research projects are a sign of the times - they reflect the key issues for cardiovascular health in 2013," said Heart Foundation CEO-TAS Graeme Lynch.

"For many Tasmanians, the risk factors for heart disease are preventable with the obesity epidemic continuing to be a core challenge. "Research is the key to making progress in understanding how to treat, as well as hopefully preventing cardiovascular disease.

"It's an exciting time for cardiovascular health research in Tasmania with the new Director at the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania Professor Tom Marwick's research specialty being in this area," Mr Lynch said.

Menzies Research Institue Dircetot Professor Tom Marwick says that cardiovascular disease processes start early and it is important to establish healthy eating habits early in life and to delay the onset of cardiovascular risk factors.

"Promoting the benefits of eating breakfast and converting breakfast skippers into breakfast consumers has the potential to be a practical strategy for improving the cardiovascular health of our State in the years to come," Prof Marwick said.

Information Released by:

Fiona Horwood, Communications Manager

Phone: 6226 7751 Mobile: 0409 357 384

Email: Fiona.Horwood@menzies.utas.edu.au

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