Tasmanians are encouraged to make heart health their number one priority, this Heart Health Week.
This year's theme, Never Miss A Beat, provides opportunity for all Australians to consider their heart health and take positive steps to improve their health and wellbeing.
"Heart disease is the largest cause of death in Australia, with Tasmania having one of the highest rates across the country," Minister Jaensch said.
"This is in part due to our population being older and the prevalence of heart disease risk factors in Tasmania being higher than the national average.
"Although there are many contributing factors including family history, heart disease is a largely preventable condition, with various risks including smoking, high blood pressure, poor diet and lack of physical activity.
"Making small adjustments in our daily lives can have a huge effect in helping to prevent heart disease and improve our overall health.
"This includes reducing high fat processed foods, increasing our fruit, vegetable and wholegrain intake, reducing salt and sugar in our diets and quitting smoking."
Minister Jaensch said this is one of the reasons the development of our 20-Year Preventive Health Strategy is so important and will help guide Tasmania Government policy in the years to come.
As part of the Government's long-term commitment to reducing heart disease, we are delivering a new $120 million Northern Heart Centre at the Launceston General Hospital. It's part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, with funding from the Australian Government.
The new facility will further strengthen the capacity and capability of Department of Health cardiology services by creating a new primary cardiology referral centre located in the North of the State.
