MATTERS OF THE HEART
OUR city’s first lady, Ruth Tate, finds herself in a battle in which the stakes are far higher than any her husband Tom confronts as mayor.
Enormous challenges lie ahead for her and indeed the many other Australians who suffer heart attack or stroke each day.
What they have suffered and are experiencing should make all Gold Coasters pause to reflect.
Mrs Tate’s sudden illness in Singapore shook her loving family to the core. That they were able to bring her back to the Gold Coast is nothing short of a miracle, given the initial concern of doctors.
Mrs Tate is a popular woman and many people are praying for her recovery.
But it is important that the population also considers the cold, hard facts surrounding heart attack, which is generally viewed as a disease of middle-aged men.
What is so often overlooked is the grim reality that heart disease kills three times as many women as breast cancer, and more women than all of the cancers combined.
This is not to detract from the huge threat breast cancer poses. It is a killer and public education programs highlighting this have been more than justified.
Mrs Tate’s illness however has served to highlight two important points. The first is that heart disease is a silent killer stalking women just as much as men.
According to the Heart Foundation, in every hour in every day somewhere in Australia a woman has a heart attack. Many survive and recover fully; many undergo lifestyle changes to reduce contributing factors to their illness including “de-stressing’’ their daily routines. Sadly, too many victims do not survive.
For some – stroke victims, for example – the consequences can present huge challenges demanding radical changes.
The second point is Cr Tate’s response to what happened to his wife as she fell ill at the airport, and the fortunate fact he had only recently gone through a CPR course. It is an important skill we should all have.
Research is making great strides in tackling heart disease, but experts admit there is a long way to go. The best protection still lies in the hands of individuals. Maintaining fitness, careful diet, minimising stress and enjoying good friends and the creative side of life are important.