Heart Health – East Perth

For the last 8 years with between 25-35 (40-80 yo) Aboriginal clients each week Thursday between 9-1pm. The Heart Health program is designed to be flexible, adaptable, empowering, giving clients a choice on how to live there their life.
Our usual morning generally runs…
Heart Health participants come together, sharing and supporting one another in their health. While the program offers a brief physical assessment eg Blood pressure and blood sugar checks (BSL) and yarning over a cup of tea or coffee. Group diabetic education precedes a short walk about 10am and morning tea. Supervised group exercises using weights (about 11:00hrs) and static bikes then finishing with a discussion about a chronic disease issue (about 11:15hrs) followed by a healthy lunch.
Weekly exercise and education sessions are delivered by Aboriginal staff alongside non-Aboriginal health professionals (cardiac nurse, exercise physiologist) and invited speakers. This program is designed to educate and empower participates to self manage their chronic disease and reduce their future risks. A variety of educational topics are discussed including heart health, heart medications, healthy tucker and healthy weight, oral health, what is blood pressure?, cholesterol control, quitting smoking, managing stress and emotions, benefits of physical activity and diabetes.
We usually present using stories, models and yarning.