BTN Newsbreak 31/07/2025
Canada has announced it plans to recognise a Palestinian state later this year, following in the footsteps of France and the UK earlier this month. That's Mark Carney announcing Canada's plans to recognise Palestinian statehood, which basically means it'll recognise Palestine as its own country. Right now, 147 countries in the UN already do that, but a handful don't, including Australia. In the last week, France, the UK, and now Canada have said they'll recognise Palestine as its own state, with hopes that the move will help bring peace to the war in Gaza. Israel's rejected their statements, saying it would be a reward to Hamas, but both Canada and the UK say that Palestinian recognition comes with a few rules. Australia hasn't officially recognised the state of Palestine, but yesterday they signed an agreement supporting a pathway towards it. Many world leaders, as well as the United Nations agree that the recognition of Palestine and Israel as two separate sates is the only way forward.
EARTHQUAKE
Today people are feeling a bit of relief after one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded happened yesterday and caused surprisingly little damage. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake off of Russia's east coast yesterday sparked tsunami alerts across the Pacific including in Japan, China and the US. Tsunami threats have now been downgraded. The earthquake was the largest since 2011 and joint 6th largest to ever be recorded. Russian state media reported that the quake injured several people, but none of the injuries were serious. But experts are warning there may still be some aftershocks to come.
DENTAL HYGIENE
How often do you brush your teeth? Well, a new study has found that some Aussie kids aren't doing it as often as they should. Brushing twice a day helps keep the decay away, but is that what Aussie kids are really doing? See a big survey by the Australian Dental Association found 68% of Aussies kids brush twice a day. But 1 in 5 Aussie kids only brush once a day, and 76% never floss! And it's not just our brushing habits that have experts worried. While a lot of us know sugary drinks can lead to tooth decay, the study also found that 38% of kids drink fizzy drinks 2-5 times a week, and 27% of kids have fruit juice every day. Experts also say caring for our baby teeth is super important for lifelong oral heath, and building good habits early.
SYDNEY TRAINS
Now to Sydney, where Opal card readers have been turned off, allowing anyone to catch the train completely free. It's been a rough past year for Sydney trains, after months of delays, industrial action and cancelled services, they've recorded their worst ever performance, with nearly 1 in 5 train services running late, and some weeks, only about half of them were on time. But when asked if offering free trains for a couple days made up for the rail disruptions, most commuters agreed -- not really. Train travel will be free until 6am this Saturday, and Transport NSW is expected to lose about 6 million dollars in revenue. But if you're a Sydney bus, ferry, or light rail catcher, be warned, you've still got to pay for your ticket.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Dozens killed in Gaza as Israel weighs military action
At least 38 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip while seeking aid from United Nations convoys and sites run by an Israeli-backed American contractor, according to local health officials. The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots when crowds approached its forces. Another 25 people, including several women and children, were killed in Israeli air strikes, according to local hospitals in Gaza. The military said it only targets Hamas militants. The latest deaths came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to announce further military action — and possibly plans for Israel to fully reoccupy Gaza. Experts say Israel's ongoing military offensive and blockade are already pushing the territory of some two million Palestinians into famine. A new UN report said only 1.5 per cent of Gaza's cropland is accessible and undamaged. Another escalation of the nearly 22-month war could put the lives of countless Palestinians and around 20 living Israeli hostages at risk, and would draw fierce opposition both internationally and within Israel. Netanyahu's far-right coalition allies have long called for the war to be expanded, and for Israel to eventually take over Gaza, relocate much of its population and rebuild Jewish settlements there. US President Donald Trump, asked by a reporter on Tuesday whether he supported the reoccupation of Gaza, said he wasn't aware of the "suggestion" but that "it's going to be pretty much up to Israel". Of the 38 Palestinians killed while seeking aid, at least 28 died in the Morag Corridor, an Israeli military zone in southern Gaza where UN convoys have been repeatedly overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds in recent days, and where witnesses say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire. The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots as Palestinians advanced toward them, and that it was not aware of any casualties. Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies, said another four people were killed in the Teina area, on a route leading to a site in southern Gaza run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an American contractor. The Al-Awda Hospital said it received the bodies of six people killed near a GHF site in central Gaza. GHF said there were no violent incidents at or near its sites. Two of the Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City, in the north of the territory, killing 13 people there, including six children and five women, according to the Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the bodies. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because its militants are entrenched in heavily populated areas. UN experts say Israeli-backed aid group should be dismantled. Israel facilitated the establishment of four GHF sites in May after blocking the entry of all food, medicine and other goods for 2.5 months. Israeli and US officials said a new system was needed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off humanitarian aid. The United Nations, which has delivered aid to hundreds of distribution points across Gaza throughout the war when conditions allow, has rejected the new system, saying it forces Palestinians to travel long distances and risk their lives for food, and that it allows Israel to control who gets aid, potentially using it to advance plans for further mass displacement. The UN human rights office said last week that some 1400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid since May, mostly near GHF sites but also along UN convoy routes where trucks have been overwhelmed by crowds. It says nearly all were killed by Israeli fire. This week, a group of UN special rapporteurs and independent human rights experts called for the GHF to be disbanded, saying it is "an utterly disturbing example of how humanitarian relief can be exploited for covert military and geopolitical agendas in serious breach of international law". At least 38 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip while seeking aid from United Nations convoys and sites run by an Israeli-backed American contractor, according to local health officials. The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots when crowds approached its forces. Another 25 people, including several women and children, were killed in Israeli air strikes, according to local hospitals in Gaza. The military said it only targets Hamas militants. The latest deaths came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to announce further military action — and possibly plans for Israel to fully reoccupy Gaza. Experts say Israel's ongoing military offensive and blockade are already pushing the territory of some two million Palestinians into famine. A new UN report said only 1.5 per cent of Gaza's cropland is accessible and undamaged. Another escalation of the nearly 22-month war could put the lives of countless Palestinians and around 20 living Israeli hostages at risk, and would draw fierce opposition both internationally and within Israel. Netanyahu's far-right coalition allies have long called for the war to be expanded, and for Israel to eventually take over Gaza, relocate much of its population and rebuild Jewish settlements there. US President Donald Trump, asked by a reporter on Tuesday whether he supported the reoccupation of Gaza, said he wasn't aware of the "suggestion" but that "it's going to be pretty much up to Israel". Of the 38 Palestinians killed while seeking aid, at least 28 died in the Morag Corridor, an Israeli military zone in southern Gaza where UN convoys have been repeatedly overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds in recent days, and where witnesses say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire. The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots as Palestinians advanced toward them, and that it was not aware of any casualties. Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies, said another four people were killed in the Teina area, on a route leading to a site in southern Gaza run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an American contractor. The Al-Awda Hospital said it received the bodies of six people killed near a GHF site in central Gaza. GHF said there were no violent incidents at or near its sites. Two of the Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City, in the north of the territory, killing 13 people there, including six children and five women, according to the Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the bodies. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because its militants are entrenched in heavily populated areas. UN experts say Israeli-backed aid group should be dismantled. Israel facilitated the establishment of four GHF sites in May after blocking the entry of all food, medicine and other goods for 2.5 months. Israeli and US officials said a new system was needed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off humanitarian aid. The United Nations, which has delivered aid to hundreds of distribution points across Gaza throughout the war when conditions allow, has rejected the new system, saying it forces Palestinians to travel long distances and risk their lives for food, and that it allows Israel to control who gets aid, potentially using it to advance plans for further mass displacement. The UN human rights office said last week that some 1400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid since May, mostly near GHF sites but also along UN convoy routes where trucks have been overwhelmed by crowds. It says nearly all were killed by Israeli fire. This week, a group of UN special rapporteurs and independent human rights experts called for the GHF to be disbanded, saying it is "an utterly disturbing example of how humanitarian relief can be exploited for covert military and geopolitical agendas in serious breach of international law". At least 38 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip while seeking aid from United Nations convoys and sites run by an Israeli-backed American contractor, according to local health officials. The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots when crowds approached its forces. Another 25 people, including several women and children, were killed in Israeli air strikes, according to local hospitals in Gaza. The military said it only targets Hamas militants. The latest deaths came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to announce further military action — and possibly plans for Israel to fully reoccupy Gaza. Experts say Israel's ongoing military offensive and blockade are already pushing the territory of some two million Palestinians into famine. A new UN report said only 1.5 per cent of Gaza's cropland is accessible and undamaged. Another escalation of the nearly 22-month war could put the lives of countless Palestinians and around 20 living Israeli hostages at risk, and would draw fierce opposition both internationally and within Israel. Netanyahu's far-right coalition allies have long called for the war to be expanded, and for Israel to eventually take over Gaza, relocate much of its population and rebuild Jewish settlements there. US President Donald Trump, asked by a reporter on Tuesday whether he supported the reoccupation of Gaza, said he wasn't aware of the "suggestion" but that "it's going to be pretty much up to Israel". Of the 38 Palestinians killed while seeking aid, at least 28 died in the Morag Corridor, an Israeli military zone in southern Gaza where UN convoys have been repeatedly overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds in recent days, and where witnesses say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire. The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots as Palestinians advanced toward them, and that it was not aware of any casualties. Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies, said another four people were killed in the Teina area, on a route leading to a site in southern Gaza run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an American contractor. The Al-Awda Hospital said it received the bodies of six people killed near a GHF site in central Gaza. GHF said there were no violent incidents at or near its sites. Two of the Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City, in the north of the territory, killing 13 people there, including six children and five women, according to the Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the bodies. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because its militants are entrenched in heavily populated areas. UN experts say Israeli-backed aid group should be dismantled. Israel facilitated the establishment of four GHF sites in May after blocking the entry of all food, medicine and other goods for 2.5 months. Israeli and US officials said a new system was needed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off humanitarian aid. The United Nations, which has delivered aid to hundreds of distribution points across Gaza throughout the war when conditions allow, has rejected the new system, saying it forces Palestinians to travel long distances and risk their lives for food, and that it allows Israel to control who gets aid, potentially using it to advance plans for further mass displacement. The UN human rights office said last week that some 1400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid since May, mostly near GHF sites but also along UN convoy routes where trucks have been overwhelmed by crowds. It says nearly all were killed by Israeli fire. This week, a group of UN special rapporteurs and independent human rights experts called for the GHF to be disbanded, saying it is "an utterly disturbing example of how humanitarian relief can be exploited for covert military and geopolitical agendas in serious breach of international law". At least 38 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip while seeking aid from United Nations convoys and sites run by an Israeli-backed American contractor, according to local health officials. The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots when crowds approached its forces. Another 25 people, including several women and children, were killed in Israeli air strikes, according to local hospitals in Gaza. The military said it only targets Hamas militants. The latest deaths came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to announce further military action — and possibly plans for Israel to fully reoccupy Gaza. Experts say Israel's ongoing military offensive and blockade are already pushing the territory of some two million Palestinians into famine. A new UN report said only 1.5 per cent of Gaza's cropland is accessible and undamaged. Another escalation of the nearly 22-month war could put the lives of countless Palestinians and around 20 living Israeli hostages at risk, and would draw fierce opposition both internationally and within Israel. Netanyahu's far-right coalition allies have long called for the war to be expanded, and for Israel to eventually take over Gaza, relocate much of its population and rebuild Jewish settlements there. US President Donald Trump, asked by a reporter on Tuesday whether he supported the reoccupation of Gaza, said he wasn't aware of the "suggestion" but that "it's going to be pretty much up to Israel". Of the 38 Palestinians killed while seeking aid, at least 28 died in the Morag Corridor, an Israeli military zone in southern Gaza where UN convoys have been repeatedly overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds in recent days, and where witnesses say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire. The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots as Palestinians advanced toward them, and that it was not aware of any casualties. Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies, said another four people were killed in the Teina area, on a route leading to a site in southern Gaza run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an American contractor. The Al-Awda Hospital said it received the bodies of six people killed near a GHF site in central Gaza. GHF said there were no violent incidents at or near its sites. Two of the Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City, in the north of the territory, killing 13 people there, including six children and five women, according to the Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the bodies. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because its militants are entrenched in heavily populated areas. UN experts say Israeli-backed aid group should be dismantled. Israel facilitated the establishment of four GHF sites in May after blocking the entry of all food, medicine and other goods for 2.5 months. Israeli and US officials said a new system was needed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off humanitarian aid. The United Nations, which has delivered aid to hundreds of distribution points across Gaza throughout the war when conditions allow, has rejected the new system, saying it forces Palestinians to travel long distances and risk their lives for food, and that it allows Israel to control who gets aid, potentially using it to advance plans for further mass displacement. The UN human rights office said last week that some 1400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid since May, mostly near GHF sites but also along UN convoy routes where trucks have been overwhelmed by crowds. It says nearly all were killed by Israeli fire. This week, a group of UN special rapporteurs and independent human rights experts called for the GHF to be disbanded, saying it is "an utterly disturbing example of how humanitarian relief can be exploited for covert military and geopolitical agendas in serious breach of international law".
SBS Australia
a day ago
- SBS Australia
Netanyahu says his resolve to topple Hamas has been strengthened
"You see your child, nothing much to add, you see your child dying before your eyes and you can't do anything. It drives you crazy, it's unbearable, there's nothing you can do. It's hard, very hard." That's the father of hostage Rom Braslavski, Ofir, reacting to seeing a video of his son appearing unwell and emaciated. He says as a parent, it breaks his heart to see his son in such poor health. Fifty hostages remain in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. The images of emaciated Israeli hostages held in Gaza have horrified Israelis and added pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Saturday night to demand a ceasefire deal, in one of the largest turnouts for the weekly protests in recent months. Mr Netanyahu says he will convene his cabinet later this week to discuss the next steps for Israel's military. He says the videos have strengthened his resolve to topple Hamas. "We must continue to stand together and fight together to achieve the war goals we have set, all of them; the defeat of the enemy, the release of our hostages, and the assurance that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel. Later this week, I will convene the cabinet to instruct the IDF on how to achieve these three goals, all of them, without exception." Meanwhile, Gaza's humanitarian crisis continues, with Gaza's Health Ministry saying five more people have died from malnutrition in the last 24 hours, raising the toll of those dying from hunger to 180 since the war began. 62-year-old Hassan Abu Zayed told Reuters he had been waiting outside a makeshift soup kitchen in Khan Younis since early morning for a meal to feed the children in his family. He says that for many like him, aid remains out of reach. "It is terrible famine. People who do not die because of the war, die because of hunger. There is no food for people. People are done. Enough. Enough." Anthony Aguilar is a former contractor for UG Solutions, a company paid to provide security for aid deliveries in Gaza. He says the aid distribution operation he worked on, where 20 people were killed in a stampede in mid-July, is like the dystopian survival movie 'The Hunger Games'.** "We would place all of the aid on a site in piles and rows, kind of like, imagine, if you will, the Hunger Games. When distribution happened, the Israeli Defence Force would release the large crowd, and the building crowd of Palestinians from a security line about a kilometre away, respectively, to each site, depending on which site we were using. And then that would turn into only what I could describe as like the Gaza Olympics or the survival of the fittest, that it just became an all-out race to the sites to get the aid." The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which runs the aid distribution sites, and UG Solutions, which provided security on its behalf, deny any wrongdoing. They say Mr Aguilar is a disgruntled ex-employee who was fired for poor performance. A spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Force, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshan, says the Israeli army is committed to the effort of bringing humanitarian aid into Gaza. He says the war against Hamas in Gaza could end today, if Hamas puts down its weapons and releases Israeli hostages. "We are working alongside international organisations. This is something we've been doing since the beginning of the war in a joint war room, daily conversations with the different organisations and the international community on how to improve aid distribution in Gaza. Obviously, the IDF is in charge of facilitating the entrance. But also we do everything we can to make sure that we help the international organizations, that we make the adjustments to help them distribute the aid. So we've put in place designated routes that are agreed and known to both sides. We've put out tactical ceasefires in different locations that can help them distribute aid. And we're communicating with them every day, finding new ways to improve distribution and find solutions to the problems." He insists Israel is not putting a limitation on the amount of aid trucks going in. But Hassan Abu Zayed - who was queuing at the soup kitchen in Khan Younis - says the system isn't working. "This aid does not reach us. We do not see it. People like us do not get aid. Most of the people do not get the aid. We hear about it in the news but we do not see it. We do not see it on the ground. I hope that the crossings open and the food enters and the flour and aid enters for people and that this big crisis that we are living ends." The Israeli military agency that coordinates aid says during the past week, more than 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid in 1,200 trucks has entered Gaza, but much of that aid has yet to be driven to aid distribution hubs. Meanwhile, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken to President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. Mr Albanese reiterated Australia's call for the immediate entry of aid to meet the needs of people in Gaza, a permanent ceasefire, and the release of all hostages. He also reinforced Australia's commitment to a two-state solution because, he says, a just and lasting peace depends upon it.
The Australian
2 days ago
- The Australian
Heart disease: What cardiologists do to protect themselves
We are all aware of basic matters of the heart, that its normal healthy functioning can be harmed by big risk factors such as smoking and drinking, being overweight and underactive, making poor dietary choices and having high blood pressure. Over time, one or more of these can contribute to the narrowing of the arteries as fatty materials (called atheroma) such as cholesterol accumulate inside them. It is when arteries become narrowed by plaque to the extent that blood flow to the heart and brain is restricted that heart disease is diagnosed. Yet most cases – the British Heart Foundation says about 70 per cent – are preventable and cardiologists are convinced that if more of us were aware of the simple steps we can take to reduce our risk, the death toll would fall. 'By managing their lifestyle risk factors and keeping tabs on health, people can dramatically reduce their risk of heart disease,' says Oliver Guttman, consultant cardiologist at the HCA Wellington Hospital in London. 'This is true even for those who currently feel well, as early metabolic changes often occur silently.' Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains one of the biggest killers in the UK, responsible for more than 66,000 deaths a year, with one person dying every eight minutes. It is the single biggest killer disease for men – one in eight dying from CHD – but the mistaken perception that heart attacks are not a big risk for women costs lives. According to the British Heart Foundation, heart disease kills more women each year than breast cancer, with signs from studies that cases are rising among women under 65. The BHF forecasts there could be one million more people living with heart disease in the UK by 2030. So, what are the rules for heart disease prevention? Here, Guttman and Hannah Douglas, consultant cardiologist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, spell out their evidence-based recommendations. 1. Check your blood pressure at least once a year Blood pressure is one of the most important controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, yet hypertension is ignored or remains undiagnosed. A normal or ideal adult pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. 'Blood pressure is critically important and is truly a 'silent killer',' Douglas says. 'High blood pressure puts the entire vascular system under constant pressure and is a very significant risk factor for heart disease.' Having your blood pressure checked by your local pharmacy free of charge is the first step to take. Also investing in a home DIY monitor is an option and the BHF has a list of approved devices ( Blood pressure does ebb and flow, so a one-off high reading is usually nothing to worry about, but if it remains high for two or three weeks, see your doctor or nurse. 'Weight management and regular exercise are two of the easiest lifestyle methods that we know help to manage blood pressure,' Douglas says. 'But sustained high blood pressure should always be treated to reduce risk.' 2. Consider wearing a tracker if over 65 Devices such as smartwatches with ECG features, such as the Apple Watch and Fitbit, can be useful for detecting atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm that increases the risk of stroke and can contribute to heart failure. 'For people over 65 or those with symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness, these tools may help flag episodes of AFib early,' Guttman says. 'Do be aware that they can also give false positives, so any alerts should be followed up with proper clinical assessment.' Routine monitoring for most under-65s is not necessary, he says, but if you are concerned about AFib speak to your GP: 'These trackers are best thought of as screening tools, not diagnostic devices, and their usefulness increases with age.' 3. Get your cholesterol levels checked Measuring cholesterol and blood triglycerides – or your lipid profile – should be done every four to six years if you are someone considered at low risk of CHD. 'You will need to have it checked more often if your lipid profile is abnormal, you are genetically at a high risk of raised cholesterol or if you are on medication,' Guttman says. Finger-prick cholesterol checks can be carried out by your GP or local pharmacy, or as part of the National Health Service health check in England. According to the BHF, below 4mmol/L (below 2.6mmol/L if you have had a heart attack) is a healthy level of non-HDL, bad cholesterol, the type that builds up in your arteries. Above 1mmol/L is a healthy level of good HDL cholesterol for men and above 1.2mmol/L is a healthy level for women. Healthy total cholesterol levels are below 5mmol/L (4mmol/L if you've had a heart attack). 4. Eat a diet rich in anti-inflammatory whole foods 'Chronic inflammation is one of the key drivers of atherosclerosis, the plaque build-up in arteries,' Guttman says. 'A diet rich in anti-inflammatory whole foods is ideal for helping to prevent this and is not only heart-protective but supports gut health, brain function and long-term weight management.' He recommends a Mediterranean-style diet with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, healthy fats, particularly extra virgin olive oil, and nuts, and a regular consumption of fish and seafood, high in heart-healthy omega-3 fats. A review of clinical evidence in the journal Nutrients showed the approach is beneficial in reducing inflammation that is a risk factor for CHD. 'By also reducing or eliminating ultraprocessed, pre-packaged foods such as ready meals from the diet, we instead use more whole ingredients to cook at home, so it is an important step to take,' Douglas says. 'Whole food ingredients are going to be largely anti-inflammatory provided we balance the food groups and take care with not adding too much extra fat and salt.' 5. Don't neglect cardio at the gym Given its benefits for muscles, bones and the waistline, there is a trend for favouring weight training over cardiovascular exercise among the over-50s. But Douglas stresses that one is not necessarily better than the other for the heart. 'I tend to advise a 50:50 mix of cardio and light weight training for optimum cardiovascular health. 'Weight training has many benefits for blood pressure, general vascular health and bone density, but keeping active with cardiovascular or aerobic exercise is amazing for heart rate and blood pressure optimisation, weight management and has the secondary benefits of reducing the risk of other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, which in itself is closely linked with poor heart health.' Guttman says that, as a minimum, we should aim for the government targets of at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, and muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week. 'A mix of the two offers the best protection for cardiovascular and overall health,' he says. 6. Measure your waist circumference Being overweight is a risk factor for CHD, but central adiposity – fat around the middle – is generally more telling than the scales. Getting a tape measure out every 4-6 weeks is the best approach. 'The body mass index [BMI] is still commonly used, but it doesn't reflect body composition or fat distribution,' Guttman says. 'For most people, keeping an eye on waist circumference is the easiest and most reliable way to monitor central fat, which is metabolically harmful and strongly linked to CHD risk.' High-risk waist measurements are over 102cm (40in) for men and over 88cm (35in) for women, although the numbers shouldn't be taken in isolation. Douglas says: 'We know that waist circumference has been linked with cardiovascular risk, so is definitely a useful gauge, but for those at higher risk of CHD an approach agreed between you and your clinician is best.' 7. Do focus on healthy sleep patterns Sleep is a key component in managing general health. 'There are very few conditions, medical, physical and psychological, that aren't worsened by poor sleep,' Douglas says. 'This definitely includes heart disease.' Poor or insufficient sleep is associated with high blood pressure, obesity, type 2 diabetes and irregular heart rhythm, all risk factors for CHD. 'Sleep apnoea, which causes pauses in breathing during sleep, is another serious and underdiagnosed condition that significantly raises cardiovascular risk,' Guttman says. 'Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of good-quality sleep per night and prioritising a regular sleep schedule, reducing evening screen time, and managing stress can all help improve your sleep and consequently support heart health.' 8. Stop smoking and vaping Smoking remains one of the most powerful preventable risk factors for heart disease. 'It damages the arteries, increases blood pressure, promotes blood clotting and accelerates plaque build-up,' Guttman says. 'Even light or occasional 'social' smoking and passive smoking increase CHD risk.' There is no safe form of smoking. Research presented to the American Heart Association by cardiologists at the University of Wisconsin reported significant negative heart health impacts after vaping and smoking cigarettes. Immediately after vaping or smoking, increases in blood pressure, heart rate and blood vessel constriction were identified, and users of e-cigarettes performed worse than non-nicotine users on treadmill tests used to predict CHD risk. 'I do worry about the long-term effects of vaping,' Douglas says. 'Although easier said than done, all smokers need to work their hardest to become ex-smokers, with any support available.' The heart benefits of quitting begin within days, and over time the risk of CHD can fall to near that of a non-smoker. 9. Do discuss your family history of CHD Most CHD risk comes from a combination of genes and lifestyle. If you have a family history of heart disease, Guttman says you should always discuss with your GP or cardiologist whether additional testing is appropriate for you. 'Genetic testing can be helpful, especially in cases of strong family history of premature heart disease [heart attack or stroke before age 55 in men or 65 in women],' he says. 'Certain inherited conditions, such as familial hypercholesterolaemia, which is characterised by very high levels of non-HDL cholesterol in the blood, greatly increase heart disease risk and often go undiagnosed without testing.' However, routine genetic screening is not recommended. 'In asymptomatic patients it often raises more questions than it answers, unfortunately,' Douglas says. And even if you do have a genetic predisposition, there is no escaping the truth that healthy behaviours – not smoking, regular exercise, a balanced diet – will significantly reduce your CHD risk. 'Always discuss concerns with your GP or cardiologist, who will help to determine whether testing is appropriate for you,' Douglas says. 10. Women – be extra aware of symptoms around the menopause Menopause is a key window for reassessing heart health and 'it's an ideal time for women to get their blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checked to ensure they're on track for the years ahead', Guttman says. Some of the symptoms associated with the perimenopause and menopause, including sweating, palpitations, breathlessness, intolerance of exercise and panic attacks, are also symptoms of heart disease and can get overlooked. 'Understanding signs that can be associated with fluctuating hormone levels is key to recognising the difference between perimenopause and, for example, a cardiac arrhythmia,' Douglas says. 'Women should always seek medical help for worrying symptoms early. And if not satisfied with the outcome, seek a second opinion.' HRT isn't prescribed to prevent CHD, but it may play a helpful role in managing menopausal symptoms in some women. For some of those under 60 or within 10 years of their menopause who are otherwise healthy, it may improve quality of life as well as improving some metabolic risk factors. 'I am a proponent of HRT for many peri and post-menopausal women for whom benefit outweighs risk,' Douglas says. However, HRT is not suitable for everyone, particularly women with a history of stroke, blood clots or known CHD. 'Decisions about HRT should be personalised, weighing the risks and benefits with a healthcare professional,' Guttman says. The Times Read related topics: HealthHeart
