Melbourne Builder Urges Healthy Lifestyle

A Melbourne builder whose life was turned upside down when he a suffered a heart attack last year is now encouraging the building and construction industry to promote healthy eating and lifestyle habits to workers.

Neil says the long hours and high pressure within the industry means people aren't taking the time that they need to do physical activity and the junk food culture is not doing anyone any favours either.

"I was typical, I ate unhealthy foods and didn't do much exercise for years and it led to a heart attack.

"In the building industry, there really is a culture of eating fast food, often fried, fatty foods. I used to think nothing of eating that kind of stuff just as a snack. Very often the guy who gets the lunches or snacks will come back with hotdogs, hamburgers, chips. It's quick and convenient and I guess it's just become a habit for a lot of people within the industry to eat that kind of food."

Mixed with the long hours many in the industry work, Neil says more of his colleagues and industry leaders need to make physical activity and healthy eating more of a priority.

"I see a lot of guys who work astronomical hours, and then take work home with them. A lot of people just don't have the time to go for a walk or a jog at lunch time, even though it's really important for your heart health."

Neil is now fronting a campaign by the Heart Foundation, which aims to raise funds for its vital health prevention work as well as increase awareness about heart disease.

"I just want to urge more of my colleagues to make a few changes so they can avoid the suffering my family and I went through," Neil says.

Meanwhile, the Heart Foundation has a couple of suggestions for a healthier lifestyle:

• Choose healthier alternatives such as soups, sushi, stirfrys, noodles and sandwiches. Saturated fat is found in fatty meats, such as hotdogs and hamburgers, and most fried takeaway foods or commercially baked products.

• Go easy on alcohol. Excessive drinking increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

• Have regular blood pressure checks. High blood pressure can strain your heart.

• On your way to work, park your car a couple of blocks away. Or if you're taking the bus or train, get off one stop early and walk the extra 15 minutes or so each way.

Did you know?: Cardiovascular disease is Australia's number one killer, responsible for more than one in three deaths. That means one person is dying from the disease every 10 minutes. It causes immense suffering to families and loved ones and affects all aspects of our community.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:36 EST