Site calculates your heart's health

Fairfax

HEALTHY HEART: The tool called 'Know Your Numbers' calculates a person's risk of heart disease or strokes based on lifestyle factors, blood pressure and cholesterol ratio.

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An online tool to help combat heart disease has been launched today by New Zealand's Heart Foundation.

The tool called 'Know Your Numbers' calculates a person's risk of heart disease or strokes based on lifestyle factors, blood pressure and cholesterol ratio.

It is available at www.knowyournumbers.co.nz.

The foundation said it hoped the website would increase people's knowledge about heart disease and help combat New Zealand's high rates of the disease.

"These statistics are alarming and indicate an urgent need to address heart health in New Zealand," foundation Medical Director Professor Norman Sharpe said.

Heart disease and strokes account for 40 percent of all deaths and are New Zealand's biggest killer.

After calculating the person's risk of heart disease the website provides the person with a six week, individually tailored heart plan.

- NZPA