Cardiovascular health

Looking after your cardiovascular health

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of death and disability in Australia. It refers to a range of conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels, including arrythmias, coronary heart disease, and heart failure.  These conditions can lead to serious cardiac events such as a heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest.   

CVD can affect your ability to work and can lead to serious workplace incidents that may impact your health and safety and/or the health and safety of others around you.  

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease

There are many risk factors for cardiovascular disease.  Some can’t be changed, such as our age, our family history or ethnicity. These are known as non-modifiable risk factors.
However most risk factors are modifiable, which means they can be managed through lifestyle changes or medical treatment. These include:    

• high blood pressure (hypertension) 
• high cholesterol 
• obesity 
• excessive alcohol 
• smoking 
• an unhealthy diet 
• limited physical activity.

Making healthy lifestyle choices can significantly reduce your risk of CVD.  It is important to understand what you can do to protect your cardiovascular health.  

CS Health has produced a range of resources including videos, posters and other educational information to support coal mine workers to look after their cardiovascular health.