“People listened intently and asked lots of questions during an informative heart health session in Korumburra on April 7th, hearing from heart researcher Professor Rebecca Ritchie and Christine Rees, President of Heartbeat Victoria.
A key message delivered is that a heart attack can feel different from person to person and doesn’t always result in crushing pain, Professor Ritchie giving the example of a nurse who didn’t realise she was having a heart attack as the symptoms didn’t match those she expected.
Professor Ritchie, who is a Cardiac Pharmacologist and Head of Drug Discovery Biology at Monash University, is on the Board of Heartbeat Victoria, a volunteer-run not-for-profit organisation, the main role of which is to support people living with heart disease and their families, through community-based peer support.
Ms Rees highlighted the importance of such support by outlining her own experience years ago of being diagnosed with heart failure as a fit and busy mother of four who was working full-time but couldn’t understand why she was always so exhausted. “When I was diagnosed, I got a bag of pills and the next appointment,” she said, having not been offered any support despite the shock news.
President of the Korumburra Senior Citizens Club and Secretary of Heartbeat South Gippsland, based in Korumburra, Janne Grenon was a driving force in organising the informative session, having undergone heart surgeries but quipping “I’m still perfect.”
Ms Grenon said the local Heartbeat group is a small one, having been downsized by the impact of the pandemic, and is keen to welcome new members”.
Many thanks to Andrew Paloczi of the South Gippsland Sentinel-Times for this information. You can read his full article here.
If you would like to contact the South Gippsland Heartbeat branch, you can find their contact details here.