Every minute counts

With heart attacks, "every minute counts" is the opening line of the Heart Foundation's Warning Signs DVD.  View here.

For good reason too says Karen Ulhman from the Heart Foundation.

"Too many people lose their lives because they take too long to call triple zero," she says.

"We found people who had (heart attack) warning signs of dizziness or discomfort in their chest that only one in four would call an ambulance."

Karen says of those, half would wait and see.  

"This has meant that in Australia, more than 50 percent of deaths occurr out of hospitals and 25 percent of people who have a heart attack die within the first hour of the first symptom," she told Stayin' Strong.

What's it to me?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are almost three times as likely to have a major coronary event (such as a heart attack) then non-Indigenous Australians.

Don't wait

Getting to the hopsital is essential because early treatment can prevent further damage to the heart muscle and increase your chances of survival.

Call 000* for an ambulance, don't drive yourself or get someone to drive you to the hospital.  Ambulance paramedics are trained to use lifesaving equipment and begin treatment for a heart attack as soon as they reach you.  

*If calling 000 does not work on your mobile, try 112 

For more information

Visit the Heart Foundation's Heart Attack Facts website here.

Image courtesy of olovedog at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If someone you know smokes, have you ever found yourself hounding them to quit?

"I remember one time my cuz grabbed my cigs and threw them into the washing machine to stop me smoking!" recalls Karen, a former smoker.  

"After having a bit of a laugh about it, I went out and bought another packet and continued the habit for years," she said. 

Pressuring someone to quit usually doesn't work says Rachel Hull from Cancer Council Queensland.

"It’s really important for people who smoke that they need to decide to quit for themselves," she says.

Rachel says instead of giving a smoker a "hard time", a better tatic would be to use positive messages.

"What friends and family (who might have been smokers in the past) can do is to talk about how good they feel by not smoking.

“But also just letting that person who’s wanting to – or is thinking about quitting know that when they’re ready, that friend or family member will be there for support,” Rachel said.

As for Karen she did eventually quit for health reasons and has been smoke-free for the last eighteen months. 

Where to get help

Your local doctor or GP;

Pharmacist; or

Call 13 QUIT (13 78 48)

Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Steven Oliver is the newest member of the BIMA Projects crew!  

Steven hails originally from Cloncurry and is a descendent of the Kuku Yalanji, Waanyi, Woppaburra and Bundjalung peoples.

Steven brings to BIMA Projects a wealth of writing experience he's developed over time through theatre including a musical that recently showed at the Queensland Theatre Company and a play (in development) for Jute Theatre in Cairns.

As well as his writing skills, Steven brings his comic abilities and alter-ego "Arthur Bin" a Murri singleton who has a deep love for Jessica Mauboy, although in some states it might be called stalking!

Steven says he and Arthur are keen to help promote good health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland.  

The Stayin' Strong project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.  Read more.