HEART OF THE MATTER
A TRAGIC, early death of a prominent sportsman and the close call suffered by the city’s “first lady’’ this year should continue to serve as wake-up calls for Gold Coasters to look after their heart health.
The sports world and the surf lifesaving community are still reeling from the death in late August of former Australian ironman champion Dean Mercer at 47.
How a man who was so supremely fit could die from cardiac arrest is difficult to comprehend, although cardiologist Dr Ross Sharpe told the Bulletin soon after that anyone in the 40-plus age bracket is a risk and he has known of endurance athletes – who have died, sometimes because of heart muscle thickening and rhythm disturbances caused by years of hard work.
But there is a marked difference between the sort of work endurance athletes go through and the fitness regimes taken on by the rest of us, which should do a lot of good.
In July well-known and respected Gold Coaster Ruth Tate, wife of the mayor, suffered a heart attack in Singapore, which shook her family to the core and shocked the city. It was touch and go, and the fact husband Tom had only recently gone through a CPR course and was on the spot to use that skill while medical help was sought probably saved her life.
The Bulletin reported a similar case this week, revealing how Cabarita lifesaver Elke Readman just happened to be on hand when Lismore woman Lib Ruytenberg collapsed in front of her. Ms Readman used CPR for many precious minutes until paramedics arrived, saving the life of a woman she had only just met.
The survival of Mrs Tate and Ms Ruytenberg demonstrated the importance of everyone learning CPR.
Heart disease is a 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.
Research is making great strides in tackling heart disease, but doctors say the best protection still lies in maintaining fitness sensibly, careful diet and minimising stress.