Heart focus for Australian Masters Games
Just because you’re fit and healthy, doesn’t mean you should avoid learning the warning signs of heart attack.
That will be the message to 8,000 plus participants at this year’s Australian Masters Games in Geelong following the announcement of a new event partnership with the Heart Foundation.
“Learn the Warning Signs of Heart Attack” is focused on improving the early identification and treatment of a heart attack, with the campaign aiming to reduce the number of heart attack deaths and to increase a person’s quality of life after suffering a heart attack.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty says that it is important that everyone knows the warning signs of heart attack, and is pleased that the Australian Master Games can assist in promoting this important message.
“The Australian Masters Games is the perfect opportunity to promote active sports participation throughout life and for people to continue to compete in the sports they love and try their hand at some new ones too.”
“We want to promote all elements of a healthy lifestyle and encourage everyone to be more active, more often; which will go some way towards reducing their likelihood of having a heart attack in the future,” Minister Delahunty said.
Dr Robert Grenfell, National Director of Cardiovascular Health at the Heart Foundation highlighted the heart attack statistics, saying around 55,000 Aussies have a heart attack every year.
“Heart attack doesn’t discriminate, it happens to men and women at any age and including people who are active. Almost 10,000 Australians die of a heart attack each year and half of all heart attack deaths happen before the person reaches hospital.
“We know your risk of heart attack increases with age and that shockingly men and women have a 50 and 33 percent chance respectively of having a heart attack by the age of 70.”
“It’s a perfect opportunity for us to highlight the life-saving warning signs to Games participants, so people are able to identify and seek treatment early, giving them the best chance of saving their life or the life of a loved one,” Dr Grenfell said.
Participants will be provided with additional information as part of their Games accreditation and will be reminded of the message via a branded water bottle provided as part of the entry package.
Chairman of 14th Australian Masters Games, Kean Selway said the partnership will see Games will focus on increasing the understanding amongst participants and the broader masters sport community of the ‘Learn the Warning Signs’ message.
“It’s not something we should take for granted, and I think most Masters Games participants would have a personal story of knowing someone who ignored the warning signs and either passed away or suffered a stroke due to a heart attack,” Selway said.
Will you recognise your heart attack?Learn the warning signs today and survive tomorrow. Get your free Action Plan atwww.heartattackfacts.org.au
The Australian Masters Games is a mass participation sporting event for anyone over the age of 30, attracting over 8,000 participants in 56 events, with its 14th edition being held in Geelong from the 5th to 12th October 2013. Early Bird entries close 31 May 2013.
XIV Australian Masters Games Snapshot
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When: |
Saturday 5th October – Saturday 12th October, 2013 |
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Where: |
Geelong, Victoria is the host city of the XIV Australian Masters Games. Just an hour from Melbourne, Geelong is set on a sparkling bay with a well-developed and welcoming waterfront precinct, and an array of nearby tourist destinations. |
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Who: |
Over 8,800 people from across Australia and overseas are expected to converge on Geelong for this week-long event. Participants will come from all walks of life – the only criteria is that they must be over 30 years of age at the time of the Games (minimum age may vary in some sports). There is no maximum age or qualification criterion, only the minimum age requirement. There is also no limit to the number of events a person is allowed to compete in. |
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Events: |
There will be 56 different sports on offer, ranging from athletics to woodchopping. A full list of participating sports is available at www.AustralianMastersGames.com |
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Entertainment: |
As well as an extensive sporting schedule, the Australian Masters Games will also comprise a variety of social events throughout the week, providing a festival atmosphere for both competitors and visitors to Geelong. Iconic Australian entertainers Mental as Anything and James Reyne will headline the opening ceremony on Saturday 5 October. |
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For further information (media only) please contact:
Samantha Culbert
Australian Masters Games Media
03 9822 7110 or 0409 989 409
Emma Bourke
Heart Foundation, Media & Communications Manager
03 9090 2046 or 0411 310 997