Mackay revealed to be worst region in country for heart disease

It is a deadly disease that thousands of Australians grapple with. It almost took Darren Lehmann’s life, but the former Australian cricket coach has taken guard.

Shocking new figures have exposed one of the region’s deadliest health trends.

The Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region is one of the worst in the country for general heart health, with death and hospitalisation rates soaring throughout the area.

The region’s death rate from heart disease is 6 per cent more than the state average, with 76.3 people per 100,000 dying from the conditions.

Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region sits third worst out of the 88 regions across Australia in that category, and is 11th worst across the country for people hospitalised with coronary heart disease.

People in this region are hospitalised for coronary heart disease at a rate of 66.3 out of every 10,000 people, which is 23 per cent above the state average.

The region also ranks as one of the country’s most inactive areas, with 73.4 per cent of adults not active enough for good heart health.

Former Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann said a heart attack was the driving force for a former Australian cricketer to turn his life around.

Now he is on the march to raise funds for the Heart Foundation, vowing to double his kilometres in the charity’s annual fitness and fundraising challenge for 2021.

Darren Lehmann will double his kilometres walked for the Heart Foundation MyMarathon. Picture: Contributed

“I woke up at 4.30am with cold sweats, I couldn’t breathe, it felt like someone was standing on my chest,” he said.

“I knew something wasn’t right.”

More than 18 months on from the experience, Lehmann has changed his diet, stopped smoking and exercises regularly.

He participated in the Heart Foundation’s MyMarathon in 2020, an event where people walk or run the distance of a marathon across October.

Lehmann said he vowed to double his kilometres walked in this year’s event.

“For me, MyMarathon is about improving your heart health, raising awareness of the Heart Foundation and heart disease, and getting everyone to understand that a heart attack can happen to you at any stage,” he said.

“Before my heart attack, I was a smoker and I ate all the wrong foods, I was a good exerciser but still carrying too much weight.

“What a wake-up call.”

Heart Foundation active living director Trevor Shilton said Mackay residents did not need to be elite athletes to conquer MyMarathon.

“Just about anyone can get involved, no matter what your age, location, background or fitness level. You decide the pace and you decide the place,” Adjunct Professor Shilton said.

“You can do it in four hours, four days or four weeks; you can do it on your own or part of a team with friends or colleagues; you can walk, run or wheel; you can do it anywhere you like – it’s a very flexible way to complete a marathon.

“Over the month of October, the distance to complete a marathon equates to about 1.4 kilometres a day, which is a very achievable target.

“Even in areas subject to a Covid lockdown, daily exercise is allowed. So why not put your walks, jogs and rides to good use by fundraising for the Heart Foundation.

“In addition to ticking ‘do a marathon’ off your bucket list, your heart will thank you for taking part.

“Regular physical activity helps to keep your heart strong and healthy, while also helping you to stay physically and mentally well.”

Originally published as Mackay revealed to be worst region in country for heart disease