Chemmart® Pharmacies are again offering free cholesterol checks following the overwhelming response to the first campaign run earlier this year.
More than 8,500 customers took advantage of the free checks over the three week campaign period in April. As a result, Chemmart® Pharmacy has brought back the offer to continue to raise awareness of the effects of high cholesterol and its contribution to heart disease.
Chemmart® Pharmacist Carolyn Wynen said that, generally, men are considered at greater risk of dying from heart disease than women, while according to The Heart Foundation, heart disease is also the number one killer of Australian women.
“Women are three times more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer,” she said.
“Taking advantage of the Chemmart® free cholesterol checks is a great opportunity for people to understand their cholesterol levels and gain any further advice they may need to better manage their health.
“We were thrilled with the response to our inaugural campaign earlier this year. It demonstrated to us that our customers want to take proactive action in managing their health and reducing their risk of heart disease.
“And we are committed to helping them take this action which is why we are once again pleased to be offering free cholesterol checks.”
According to the Heart Foundation, an ideal blood cholesterol level is 4.0 mmol/L or below, however a 2010 Heart Foundation Survey found that one in three Australian adults aged 30 – 65 has high blood cholesterol. This equates to around 3.5 million adults.
Research shows that if you lower your blood cholesterol levels you will lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Ms Wynen outlines some simple ways to help lower cholesterol:
- Substitute butter with spreads and trans fat-free margarines made from canola, sunflower or olive oils and dairy blends that have earned the Heart Foundation tick of approval.
- Opt for reduced, low or no-fat dairy products and limit ice-cream to no more than three times per week.
- Eat two to three serves (150g) of oily fish, either canned, frozen or fresh, per week
- Avoid processed meats such as sausages, deli meats and salami.
- Include beans and pulses such as split peas, haricot beans, kidney beans, baked beans, bean mix or lentils, in at least two meals per week
- Limit white varieties of bread, cereals, pasta, rice and noodles and choose whole grain varieties instead.
- Eat no more than 6 eggs per week. If you have high cholesterol, check with your doctor as to how many you can eat.
- Limit fatty animal products such as liver, kidney and pate.
The free cholesterol checks are running in Chemmart® Pharmacies until 9 October 2013 and take less than five minutes.
For further information and more tips on lowering cholesterol visit www.chemmart.com.au/cholesterol or your local Chemmart® Pharmacy.