Traci Moore is a retired aged care nurse, a wife, mother and grandmother – and a heart disease survivor.
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During a move from Sydney to Laurieton in 2014, Traci felt fatigued and had slight chest tightness, which disappeared when she sat down. She put it down to the stress of moving. Fortunately, she decided to see a GP, and asked the right questions.
Diagnosed with a serious heart condition, Traci immediately underwent open-heart surgery.
The double bypass saved her life, and now the 61-year-old spends her time helping others who are experiencing heart trauma and educating people, particularly women, about the risks of ‘not knowing’.
A volunteer with Heart Support Australia – Port Macquarie-Hastings branch, Traci wants women to consider their own wellbeing this year – to make an appointment with their GP and to ask the right questions.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. It kills more than three times as many women as breast cancer,” Traci said.
“Just 30 per cent of women are aware that symptoms of heart attack can include fatigue, nausea, arm pain, jaw pain or sweating.
“Being aware of heart disease is important and there are things we can all do to have a healthy heart.
Being aware of heart disease is important and there are things we can all do to have a healthy heart.
- Traci Moore
“We should remember that small changes can make a huge difference. We should all consider visiting a healthcare professional for a heart health check.
“We should know our numbers for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugars and waist circumference.
“Those people who smoke should quit. We should make healthy food choices, maintain a healthy weight and be active each day.
“The symptoms for women can be very subtle, unlike the dramatic pain experienced by most men.
“As women, we put everyone else's needs first and can forget about our own issues, especially our health.
“This needs to change and we are the only ones who have the power to do this,” Traci said.
Heart Support Australia – Port Macquarie-Hastings branch has volunteers working at Port Macquarie Base Hospital with heart trauma patients during their recovery.
The volunteers, over the past seven years, have provided an extraordinary 7000 volunteer hours to heart patients in the Coronary Care and Rehabilitation units at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, and donated equipment and other items valued at more than $55,000.
