A SERIOUS medical experience last year has prompted Bright resident Rod Browning to speak out in an effort to raise awareness about heart health this RED FEB.
Rod, who experienced a life-threatening heart condition, is passionate about encouraging others in the community to take care of their heart health and recognise the early warning signs of potential heart issues.
His personal journey has inspired him to share his story, aiming to educate others and bring attention to the importance of heart health, particularly early detection and preventative care.
"I was having coffee with a friend of mine and I just started to feel not well," Rod said.
"Clammy and with a bit of indigestion, I thought it was the coffee my friend had given me," he laughed.
"I drove home and then there was pain going down my arms, so I walked across to the hospital.
"I remember the nurse looking at the report after I had my ECG and she said: 'this is not good', but [she was still] calm.
"I then saw more nurses, then my GP who talked me through what was going to happen, then I spoke to some paramedics and I thought this is probably serious.
"But everyone was very calm and professional and it made me feel calm."
Rod’s hope is that by sharing his experience, more people will recognise the importance of staying informed and ultimately seek medical attention when needed.
As part of this campaign, Rod is urging everyone to pay attention to their health and take quick action when in doubt.
February is RED FEB, a month dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease, encouraging preventative measures, and educating the public on the signs of heart-related emergencies.
In case of an emergency, always dial 000 for immediate assistance.
For those uncertain about their medical needs or seeking advice on their healthcare concerns, Nurse-On-Call is available on: 1300 60 60 24.
Rural Urgent Care Centres include the Bright Hospital (03) 5755 0100; Mount Beauty Hospital (03) 5754 3500 and Myrtleford Hospital (03) 5751 9300.
Additionally, more urgent care information can be found at the Alpine Health website: www.alpinehealth.org.au/services/hospital-urgent-care/urgent-care
To watch Rod's powerful story, visit: https://youtu.be/mQnMmc3Jur4